Brushless car wash system including a telescoping unit for washing top and rear surfaces of vehicles

ABSTRACT

A brushless car wash system includes a wash unit that washes upper surfaces of the vehicle. The height of the wash unit is adjusted based on the contour of the upper surfaces of the vehicle. Adjusting the height of the wash unit results in increased wash performance of the brushless car wash system.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of Art

The present disclosure generally relates to car wash systems forvehicles, and more specifically to automated brushless car wash systems.

2. Background of the Invention

Car wash systems are used to clean the exterior of vehicles using atleast water and soap. One type of automated car wash systems is a tunnelcar wash system (e.g., conveyor system). In a tunnel car wash system, avehicle is driven onto a conveyor of the tunnel car wash system. Theconveyer moves the vehicle through the tunnel of the tunnel car washsystem where the different steps for washing the vehicle are performedfrom the initial step of pre-soaking of the vehicle with water to thefinal step of drying the vehicle.

Tunnel car wash systems typically use brushes, water, or a combinationof brushes and water to wash vehicles. Using brushes to wash vehiclesmay damage the surface of the vehicle as the brushes contact the paintof the vehicles to remove any dirt, debris, and/or road film on thesurface of the vehicles. The damage may include undesired scratches orswirl marks on the paint of the vehicles to broken parts on the vehicleas the brushes are caught on the parts during washing.

While certain conventional tunnel car wash systems may use high-pressurewater (e.g., brushless) to wash vehicles to avoid damage on the paint ofthe vehicles, conventional brushless tunnel car wash systems typicallyare not capable of thoroughly cleaning the vehicles to remove road filmon the vehicles. Thus, conventional tunnel car wash systems are unableto sufficiently clean vehicles.

SUMMARY

A two-stage brushless car wash system is disclosed. The two-stagebrushless car wash system includes a first wash stage apparatus and asecond wash stage apparatus that are independently controlled to wash anexterior of a vehicle. Both the first wash stage apparatus and thesecond wash stage apparatus account for the contour of the vehicle toenhance washing performance.

In one embodiment, the first wash stage apparatus is brushless and useshigh-pressure water to wash upper surfaces of the vehicle including thefront, top, and rear surfaces of the vehicle while accounting for thecontour of the upper surfaces of the vehicle such that the first washstage apparatus is in a constant proximity (e.g., within a distancerange) to the upper surfaces of the vehicle during washing. The secondwash stage apparatus is also brushless, and uses high-pressure water towash the side surfaces of the vehicle after the first wash stageapparatus has completed washing the upper surfaces of the vehicle.Similar to the first wash stage apparatus, the second wash stageapparatus also accounts for the contours of the side surfaces of thevehicle during washing such that the second wash stage apparatus is in aconstant proximity (e.g., within a distance range) to the side surfacesof the vehicle during washing.

In one embodiment, the first wash stage apparatus includes a wash unitthat washes the upper surfaces of the vehicle. The height of the washunit is adjusted based on the contour of the upper surfaces of thevehicle. By adjusting the height of the wash unit as the wash unitsprays the upper surfaces of the vehicle with water, the wash unit ofthe first wash stage apparatus is able to stay within a distance rangefrom the upper surfaces of the vehicle thereby increasing the washperformance of the first wash stage.

In one embodiment, the height of the wash unit included in the firstwash stage apparatus is adjusted using a telescoping unit (e.g., aheight adjusting unit). The telescoping unit maybe be expanded orcontracted according to the contour of the upper surfaces of thevehicle. In one embodiment, the telescoping unit is tilted at an angle.By tilting the telescoping unit, the telescoping wash unit is capable ofadjusting the height of the wash unit so as to maintain a predetermineddistance range to the rear surface of the vehicle as the vehicle movesaway from the first wash stage. Thus, rear wash performance of thevehicle is enhanced.

In one embodiment, the second wash stage apparatus has a variable width.By having a variable width, the second wash stage may adjust its widthaccording to the width of the vehicle being washed. By adjusting thewidth of the second wash stage, a wash unit included in the second washstage may stay within a distance range from the side surfaces of thevehicle thereby enhancing wash performance. In one embodiment, the widthof the second wash stage is adjusted due to physical contact between thesecond wash stage and the tires of the vehicle. The contact between thesecond wash stage and the tires sets the width of the second wash stageaccording to the width of the vehicle.

In one embodiment, a two-stage brushless car wash system comprises: afirst brushless wash stage apparatus configured to wash a plurality ofupper surfaces of an exterior of a vehicle, the first brushless washstage apparatus including a plurality of nozzles whose height isadjusted a plurality of times as the plurality of nozzles spray theplurality of upper surfaces of the vehicle with water, the height of theplurality of nozzles adjusted according to a contour profile of theplurality of upper surfaces of the vehicle; and a second brushless washstage apparatus configured to wash a plurality of side surfaces of theexterior of the vehicle independently from the first brushless washstage apparatus, the second brushless wash stage including a pluralityof nozzles that spray the plurality of side surfaces of the vehicle withwater according to contours of the plurality of side surfaces of theexterior of the vehicle.

In one embodiment, a two-stage brushless car wash system comprises: afirst brushless wash stage apparatus configured to wash a plurality ofupper surfaces of a vehicle, the first brushless wash stage apparatusincluding a plurality of first nozzles that are controlled to followalong a contour of the plurality of upper surfaces of the vehicle as theplurality of first nozzles spray the plurality of upper surfaces of thevehicle with water; and a second brushless wash stage apparatusconfigured to wash a plurality of side surfaces of the vehicle that aredistinct from the plurality of upper surfaces of the vehicle, the secondbrushless wash stage including a plurality of second nozzles that areindependently controlled from the plurality of first nozzles of thefirst brushless wash stage to spray the plurality of side surfaces ofthe vehicle with water according to a contour of the plurality of sidesurfaces.

In one embodiment, a two-stage brushless car wash system comprises: aconveyor configured to transport a vehicle through the two-stagebrushless car wash system; a first brushless wash stage apparatusconfigured to wash a rear surface of the vehicle using a plurality offirst nozzles included in the first brushless wash stage, the pluralityof first nozzles configured to spray water as the plurality of firstnozzles follow a contour of the rear surface of the vehicle while thevehicle moves through and away from the first brushless wash stageapparatus; and a second brushless wash stage apparatus configured towash a plurality of side surfaces of the vehicle using a plurality ofsecond nozzles that spray the plurality of side surfaces of the vehiclewith water.

In one embodiment, a brushless car wash system for washing a vehiclecomprises: a wash unit configured to spray water on a plurality of uppersurfaces of an exterior of the vehicle to wash the vehicle; and a heightadjustment unit coupled to the wash unit at a first end of the heightadjustment unit and configured to adjust a height of the wash unit asthe plurality of upper surfaces of the exterior of the vehicle iswashed, the height adjustment unit tilted at a fixed angle away from afront of the vehicle, the fixed angle measured with respect to areference that is perpendicular to ground.

In one embodiment, a brushless car wash system for washing a vehiclecomprises: a light curtain sensor configured to sense a plurality ofheight points of a plurality of upper surfaces of an exterior of thevehicle along a length of the vehicle, the light curtain sensor tiltedat an angle toward a front of the vehicle, the angle measured withrespect to a reference that is perpendicular to ground; a wash unitconfigured to spray water on the plurality of upper surfaces of thevehicle to wash the vehicle; and a height adjustment unit coupled to thewash unit at one end of the height adjustment unit and configured toadjust a height of the wash unit according to the plurality of heightpoints as the vehicle is moved, the height adjustment unit tilted at anangle that corresponds to the angle of the light curtain sensor, theangle of the height adjustment unit measured with respect to thereference that is perpendicular to ground.

In one embodiment, a brushless car wash system for washing a vehiclecomprises: a wash unit configured to spray water on an exterior of thevehicle to wash the vehicle; and a telescoping rail structure coupled tothe wash unit at one end of the telescoping rail structure andconfigured to adjust a height of the wash unit by expanding orretracting a plurality of rail stages included in the telescoping railstructure as the vehicle is moved, the telescoping rail structure tiltedat a fixed angle away from a front of the vehicle, the fixed anglemeasured with respect to a reference that is perpendicular to ground.

In one embodiment, a brushless car wash system for washing a vehiclecomprises: a frame structure; a width adjustment unit configured toadjust a width of the brushless car wash system according to a width ofthe vehicle, the width adjustment unit including a plurality of baseassemblies that hang from the frame structure, the plurality of baseassemblies configured to physically contact the vehicle to adjust thewidth of the brushless car wash system according to the width of thevehicle; and a wash unit mounted on the plurality of plurality of baseassemblies, the wash unit configured to spray water on a plurality ofside surfaces of an exterior of the vehicle to wash the vehicle whilethe brushless car wash system is at the adjusted width.

In one embodiment, a brushless car wash system for washing a vehiclecomprises: a width adjustment unit configured to adjust a width of thebrushless car wash system according to a width of the vehicle, the widthadjustment unit including a plurality of base assemblies that float offa ground surface and are configured to physically contact the vehicle toadjust the width of the brushless car wash system according to the widthof the vehicle; and a wash unit mounted on the plurality of plurality ofbase assemblies, the wash unit configured to spray water on a pluralityof side surfaces of an exterior of the vehicle to wash the vehicle whilethe brushless car wash system is at the adjusted width.

In one embodiment, a brushless car wash system for washing a vehiclecomprises: a frame structure; a width adjustment unit configured toadjust a width of the brushless car wash system according to a width ofthe vehicle, the width adjustment unit including a plurality of arms anda plurality of base assemblies that hang from the frame structure viathe plurality of arms, wherein each of the plurality of arms includes atleast one bend; and a wash unit mounted on the plurality of plurality ofbase assemblies, the wash unit configured to spray water on a pluralityof side surfaces of an exterior of the vehicle to wash the vehicle whilethe brushless car wash system is at the adjusted width.

The features and advantages described in the specification are not allinclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantageswill be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of thedrawings, specification, and claims. Moreover, it should be noted thatthe language used in the specification has been principally selected forreadability and instructional purposes, and may not have been selectedto delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a high-level block diagram of the two-stage brushless car washsystem according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a method flow diagram illustrating the independently performedsteps of the first wash stage and the second wash stage of the two-stagebrushless car wash system according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C respectively illustrate perspective, front, andside views, respectively, of the first wash stage of the two-stagebrushless car wash system according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates chemical arches included in the first wash stage ofthe two-stage brushless car wash system according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate an optical sensor included in the first washstage of the two-stage brushless car wash system and sensing data of avehicle according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 6A-6H illustrate operation of the first wash stage of thetwo-stage brushless car wash system according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates operation of the first wash stage of the two-stagebrushless car wash system to wash the rear surface of a vehicleaccording to one embodiment.

FIGS. 8A-8D show the retraction operation of a telescoping unit of thefirst wash stage according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8E illustrates a plan view of the telescoping unit according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 8F illustrates a perspective view of the telescoping unit in theexpanded state according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 9A-9D illustrate detailed views of components of the telescopingunit of the first wash stage according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 10A to 10E illustrates detailed views of the shock reducing unitsof the telescoping unit of the first wash stage according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates a detailed view of a mechanism for collapsing andexpanding the telescoping unit of the first wash stage according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 12A to 12C illustrate detailed views of the drum and wire forcollapsing and expanding the telescoping unit of the first wash stageaccording to one embodiment.

FIGS. 13A-13D illustrate various views of a wash unit of the first washstage according to one embodiment.

FIG. 14 illustrates a wash unit of the first wash stage according toanother embodiment.

FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate various views of a safety device of thefirst wash stage according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 16A-16C illustrate a reset apparatus of the first wash stage inresponse to a collision between the first wash stage and the vehicleaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 17 illustrates a detailed view of the second wash stage of thetwo-stage brushless car wash system according to a first embodiment.

FIGS. 18A-18D illustrate operation of the second wash stage according tothe first embodiment.

FIG. 19 illustrates dual bend arms of the second wash stage according toone embodiment.

FIGS. 20A-20B illustrate the center of gravity of the dual bend arms ofthe second wash stage according to one embodiment

FIGS. 20C-20D illustrate weights applied to the dual bend arms to changethe center of gravity of the dual bend arms according to one embodiment.

FIG. 21 illustrates single bend arms of the second wash stage accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 22A illustrate a path of motion of components of the second washstage according to one embodiment.

FIG. 22B illustrates force vectors that cause the second wash stage tomove in the path shown in FIG. 22A according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 23A, 23B, and 23C illustrate detailed views of base assemblies ofthe second wash stage according to the first embodiment.

FIGS. 24A to 24B illustrate plan views of the base assemblies accordingto the first embodiment.

FIG. 25 illustrates a plan view of the second wash stage according toone embodiment.

FIGS. 26A and 26B illustrate nozzle assemblies of the second wash stageaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 27A illustrates a detailed view of a collision prevention unit ofthe second wash stage according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 27B to 27C illustrate operation of the collision prevention unitaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 28 illustrates a detailed view of the second wash stage of thetwo-stage brushless car wash system according to a second embodiment.

FIGS. 29A-29C illustrate operation of the second wash stage according tothe second embodiment.

FIGS. 30A and 30B illustrate detailed views of base assemblies of thesecond wash stage according to the second embodiment.

FIGS. 31A and 31B illustrates plan views of the base assemblies of thesecond wash stage according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 32 is a detailed view of the controller of the two-stage brushlesscar wash system according to one embodiment.

FIG. 33 is system diagram of a controller, according to one embodiment.

The figures depict embodiments of the present invention for purposes ofillustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize fromthe following description that alternative embodiments of the structuresand methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing fromthe principles of the invention described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a high-level block diagram of the two-stage brushless car washsystem 100 (hereinafter “car wash system 100”) according to oneembodiment. The car wash system 100 is a tunnel-based car wash systemthat washes an exterior of a vehicle 101 in multiple, separate stages,in one example. The car wash system 100 includes a first wash stage 103,a second wash stage 105, a conveyer 107, a controller 109, and a watersupply system 109 in one embodiment. The first wash stage 103 washes theupper (e.g., top) surfaces of the vehicle 101 whereas the second washstage 105 washes the side surfaces of the vehicle 101 in one embodiment.The first wash stage 103 and the second wash stage 105 are physicallyseparated and independently controlled by the controller 109 to wash theexterior of the vehicle 101.

FIG. 2 is a method flow diagram illustrating the independently performedsteps of the first wash stage 103 and the second wash stage 105 of thecar wash system 100 to wash vehicle 101 according to one embodiment. Thecar wash system 100 receives 201 the vehicle 101 for washing. In oneembodiment, the vehicle 101 is received when the vehicle 101 is drivenonto the conveyer 107 included in the car wash system 100. The conveyor107 transports the vehicle 101 along the car wash system 100 at apredetermined speed such that the vehicle 101 passes through the firstwash stage 103 followed by the second wash stage 105 to wash theexterior surfaces of the vehicle 101. In one embodiment, the conveyor107 transports the vehicle 101 through the car wash system 100 at aspeed of 200 to 380 mm/s (7.8 to 14.9 inch/s) resulting in roughly120-180 cars washed per hour. The conveyor 107 may transport the vehicle101 at other speeds in different examples.

The car wash system 100 washes 202 upper surfaces of the vehicle 101such as the front surface, top surface, and rear surface of the vehicle101 using the first wash stage 103. In one embodiment, examples of thefront surface of the vehicle 101 include the front bumper, examples ofthe top surface of the vehicle 101 include the hood, front windshield,roof, rear windshield, a truck bed, and top portion of the rear decklidof the vehicle 101, and examples of the rear surface of the vehicle 101include the rear portion of the rear decklid and the rear bumper.

As will be described in further detail below, the first wash stage 103is brushless. That is, the first wash stage 103 includes a wash unit(e.g., nozzles) that cleans the upper surfaces of the vehicle 101without the use of brushes. The first wash stage 103 does not clean theside surfaces of the vehicle 101 as the second wash stage 105 washes theside surfaces of the vehicle 101 as will be further described below.

To wash the upper surfaces of the vehicle 101, the first wash stage 103determines 205 the contour profile of the vehicle 201. The contourprofile of the vehicle 101 describes various height points of thevehicle 101 along the length of the vehicle 101 according to oneembodiment. The height points of the vehicle 101 included in the contourprofile collectively describe the vertical shape of the front, top, andrear surface of the vehicle 101.

The first wash stage 103 applies 207 chemical to the vehicle 101. Thefirst wash stage 103 applies the chemical to upper surfaces of thevehicle 101. In one embodiment, the first wash stage 103 may also applychemical to the side surfaces of the vehicle 101. The chemical appliedto upper surfaces of the vehicle 101 are used by the front wash stage103 to wash the upper surfaces of the vehicle 101. The chemical appliedto the side surfaces may be used by the second wash stage 105 to washthe side surfaces of the vehicle 101. The chemical may include forexample soap or any other type of chemicals used during a car wash. Inone embodiment, the first wash stage 103 may apply different soaps eachwith a different pH level to the vehicle 101.

After the chemical is applied to the vehicle 101, the first wash stage103 activates 209 the wash unit of the first wash stage 103 to begincleaning the vehicle 101 with water. The water sprayed by the wash unitof the first wash stage 103 is used to clean the upper surfaces of thevehicle 101. As the vehicle 101 is moved along the first wash stage 103by the conveyor 107, the first wash stage 101 adjusts 211 the height ofthe wash unit according to the vertical contour profile of the vehicle101 as the upper surfaces of the vehicle 101 are washed. Thus, the washunit moves in accordance with the contour of the vehicle 101 to improvecleaning performance of the first wash stage 103 since the wash unitstays within a constant proximity to the upper surfaces of the vehicle(e.g., within a distance range).

As will be described in further detail below, adjusting the height ofthe wash unit of the first wash stage 103 allows the wash unit tomaintain a predetermined distance range (e.g., the constant proximity)from the upper surfaces of the vehicle 101 to better clean the vehicle101. By maintaining the predetermined distance range between the washunit and the upper surfaces of the vehicle 101, the first wash stage 103is capable of removing more dirt, grime, and/or road film from the uppersurfaces of the vehicle 101 while reducing the amount of water usedduring the wash process compared to conventional brushless tunnel carwash systems. Also, damage to the paint of the vehicle 101 is at thevery least reduced, since the first wash stage 103 is brushless.

After the first wash stage 103 has completed washing the upper surfacesof the vehicle 101, the vehicle 101 exits the first wash stage 103 andthe conveyer 107 transports the vehicle 101 to the second wash stage105. As mentioned previously, the second wash stage 105 washes 203 theside surfaces of the vehicle 101 independently from the first wash stage103 after the first wash stage 103 is completed. Examples of the sidesurfaces of the vehicle include the front and rear fenders, the doors,side mirror, driver and/or passenger windows, wheels, and the sides ofthe front and rear bumpers.

In one embodiment, to wash the side surfaces of the vehicle 101 duringthe second wash stage 105, the width of the second wash stage 213 isadjusted 213 based on the width of the vehicle 101. After the width ofthe second wash stage 213 is adjusted, the wash unit of the second washstage is activated 215 to wash the side surfaces of the vehicle 101.Adjusting the width of the second wash stage 105 allows for the washunit of the second wash stage 105 to maintain a predetermined distancerange from the side surfaces of the vehicle 101 to better clean the sidesurfaces of the vehicle 101. Thus, the wash unit of the second washstage 105 is able to account for the contour of the side surface of thevehicle 101. By maintaining the predetermined distance range between thewash unit and the side surfaces of the vehicle 101, the second washstage 105 is capable of removing more dirt, grime, and/or road film fromthe side surfaces of the vehicle 101 while reducing the amount of waterused during the wash process compared to conventional brushless tunnelcar wash systems.

In one embodiment, the water supply system 109 supplies water to thefirst wash stage 103 and the second wash stage 105. The water suppliedby the water supply system 109 is pressurized at a predeterminedpressure and is also heated to a predetermined temperature. In oneembodiment, the water supply system 109 includes at least a boiler forheating and maintaining the water supplied to the first wash stage 103and the second wash stage 105 at the predetermined temperature. Thewater supply system 109 may also include a pressure pump system forsupplying the water to the first wash stage 103 and the second washstage 105 at the predetermined pressure (e.g., 1000 PSI). The watersupply system 109 may be housed in a machine room separate from thefirst wash stage 103 and second wash stage 105 or is in the same room asthe first wash stage 103 and the second wash stage 105.

Overview of First Wash Stage 103

Referring to FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, perspective, front, and side views,respectively, of the first wash stage 103 of the car wash system 100 areshown according to one embodiment. The first wash stage 103 includes anoptical sensor 301, a frame 302, a water supply line 303, a telescopingunit 304, a motor 305, a wash unit 306, and a safety device 307 that areeach described in further detail below. The first wash stage 103 mayhave additional or fewer components than described herein in otherexamples.

In one embodiment, the optical sensor 301 is used in conjunction withthe controller 109 to identify the contour profile of the vehicle 101.As mentioned previously, the contour profile of the vehicle 101 includesa plurality of height points of the vehicle 101 that are measured alongthe length of the vehicle 101. Each height point represents a height ofa part of the vehicle. The height points included in the contour profileof the vehicle 101 are arranged in an order of sensing from the opticalsensor 301 to correctly describe the shape of the front, top, and rearsurfaces of the vehicle 101.

In one embodiment, the optical sensor 301 may be positioned normal toground (e.g., straight up ground). Alternatively, the optical sensor 301may be tilted at a fixed angle θ toward the front of the vehicle 101where the angle θ is measured from a reference 309 that is normal to theground. For example, the optical sensor 301 may be positioned at apredetermined angle θ range between 13-17 degrees from the reference309. The optical sensor 301 may be angled in order to reduce themeasured distance between the adjacent height points sensed by theoptical sensor 103, as will be further described below.

In one embodiment, the optical sensor 301 is a light curtain sensor. Thelight curtain sensor includes a plurality of photoelectric beams. Eachphotoelectric beam emits light shown as an individual line of light 308in FIG. 3A. Each individual line of light 308 represents a particularheight. As the vehicle 101 passes through the light curtain sensor, thearray of photoelectric beams sense intrusions into the plane ofdetection of the light curtain sensor and the various height points ofthe vehicle 101 are sensed based on which of the photoelectric beams areintruded. Based on the sensed points of intrusions communicated back tothe controller 109, the controller 109 may determine the various heightpoints of the front, top, and rear surfaces of the vehicle 101 togenerate the contour profile of the vehicle 101.

In another embodiment, the optical sensor 301 is a three-dimension (3D)sensor. The 3D sensor is used to measure the dimensions of the vehicle101 in three dimensions (e.g., x, y, and z dimensions) to generate thecontour profile of the vehicle 101. The measured dimensions of thevehicle 101 include the heights of the upper surfaces of the vehicle101.

In one embodiment, the 3D sensor includes at least two sensors (e.g.,projected-light sensors) positioned towards the front of the vehicle101. One sensor may be positioned at a driver side of the vehicle 101and a second sensor may be positioned at a passenger side of the vehicle101. As the vehicle 101 passes the sensors, each sensor illuminates thevehicle 101 with light (e.g., a laser) and measures the backscatteredlight to determine the dimensions (e.g., heights and/or widths) of thevehicle 101.

The frame 302 is a structure used to support the other components of thefirst wash stage such as the water supply line 303, the telescoping unit304, the motor 305, the wash unit 306, and a safety device 307. Theframe 302 includes a plurality of frame rails 302A-302D thatcollectively form the frame 302D and mechanically support the watersupply line 303, telescoping unit 304, and motor 305. The frame 302 maybe made of metal such as steel or aluminum or other metals.

In one embodiment, the frame 302 has a height greater than 90 inches anda width of 134 inches in one embodiment to accommodate vehicles 101 witha maximum height of 90 inches and a maximum width of 90 inches. However,the frame 302 may have different dimensions depending on the size of thevehicles being washed.

The telescoping unit 304 may be considered a height adjustment unitsince the telescoping unit 304 adjusts a height of the wash unit 306.The telescoping unit 304 is a telescoping rail, in one embodiment. Thetelescoping unit 304 is configured to retract or expand in accordancewith the contour profile of the vehicle 101, so as to maintain thepredetermined distance range between the wash unit 306 and the uppersurfaces of the vehicle 101 during the first wash stage 103. As shown inFIG. 3C, a portion 311 of the telescoping unit 304 is mounted to theframe 302 using a mounting plate 313. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3C, themounting plate 313 is mounted to frame rail 302D. The mounting plate 313may be mounted to the frame rail 302D using fasteners such as nuts andbolts, or the mounting plate 313 may be welded to the frame rail 302D.

The wash unit 306 may be a water manifold with a plurality of nozzlesattached to the water manifold as will be further described in detailbelow. The wash unit 306 is used to spray pressurized water on the uppersurfaces of the vehicle 101 to clean the vehicle 101. The wash unit 306is attached to ends 315A, 315B of the telescoping unit 304 as shown inFIG. 3B. As mentioned above, the wash unit 306 is maintained within apredetermined distance range between the upper surfaces of the vehicle101 during the first wash stage to enhance wash performance.

The water supply lines 303 supply water provided by the water supplysystem 109 to the wash unit 306. The water supply lines 303 may includewater supply line 303A and water supply line 303B that are each disposedat one side of the telescoping unit 304 as shown in FIG. 3B. An end ofeach water supply line is attached to the wash unit 306. For example,the end 316A of water supply line 303A is attached to the wash unit 306and the end 316B of water supply line 303B is attached to the wash unit306.

The motor 305 is configured to spin to retract or expand the telescopingunit 304 while the vehicle 101 is being washed during the first washstage 103. The motor 305 is controlled by the controller 109 to retractor expand the telescoping unit 304 in accordance with the contourprofile of the vehicle 101 so that the wash unit 306 is maintained atthe predetermined distance range of the surface of the front, top, andrear surfaces of the vehicle 101. In one embodiment, the motor 305 isattached to the upper most end 317 of the telescoping unit 304.

The safety device 307 is configured to reduce damage to the vehicle 101upon impact between the vehicle 101 and the safety device 307. Thesafety device 307 includes shock absorbent material that absorbs shockso as to reduce damage to the vehicle 101 upon impact. Impact may occurif the telescoping unit 304 is not properly retracted in accordance withthe contour profile of the vehicle 101.

In one embodiment, the safety device 307 includes a plurality of safetydevices 307A and 307B. As will be further described below, the pluralityof safety devices are attached to the wash unit 306 such that eachsafety device surrounds a portion of the wash unit 306. Safety device307A is positioned on the wash unit 306 such that it is at one side ofthe water supply line 303A (e.g., left of the water supply line 303A)and safety device 307B is positioned on the wash unit 306 such that itis to another side of the water supply line 303B (e.g., right of thewater supply line 303B). Although the safety device 307 shown hereinincludes two safety devices, any number of safety devices may be used.

Referring to FIG. 4, the first wash stage 103 may also include aplurality of chemical arches 401. Generally, chemical arches 401 arestructures that spray chemicals on the vehicle 101 during the washprocess of the car wash system 100. The chemicals include soap forexample.

In one embodiment, the chemical arches 401 apply detergent to the uppersurfaces of the vehicle 101. The chemical arches 401 may also applydetergent to the side surfaces of the vehicle 101. In one embodiment,each of the chemical arches 401A and 401B simultaneously spray the uppersurfaces and the side surfaces of the vehicle 101 with detergent. Thedetergent applied to the upper surfaces of the vehicle 101 are used bythe first wash stage 103 to wash the upper surfaces vehicle. In someembodiments, the detergent applied to the side surfaces may be used bythe second wash stage 105 to wash the side surfaces of the vehicle 101.In some embodiments, the detergent sprayed by the first chemical arch401A and the detergent sprayed by the second chemical arch 401B are thesame. Alternatively, the detergent sprayed by the first chemical arch401A is different from the detergent sprayed by the second chemical arch401B. An example of detergent is soap.

In one embodiment, chemical arch 401A applies detergent with a first pHlevel to the vehicle 101 and chemical arch 401B applies detergent with asecond pH level to the vehicle 101. The first and second pH levels aredifferent from each other in one embodiment, but may be the same inother embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 4, the chemical arches 401 are positioned between theoptical sensor 301 and the frame 302. In one embodiment, the firstchemical arch 401A is positioned at least 157 inches to a maximum of 236inches from the optical sensor 301. In one embodiment, the distancebetween chemical arch 401A and 401B may be different from car wash tocar wash. The distance between the chemical arches 401 may be based upondifferent actors such as dwell time between the different detergentsapplied by the chemical arches 401 and speed of the conveyor 107, forexample. In one embodiment, a different optical sensor from the opticalsensor 301 may be used to activate the chemical arches 401.

Optical Sensor 301

FIG. 5A illustrates a plurality of height points of the vehicle 101according to one embodiment. As mentioned previously, the optical sensor301 is used in conduction with the controller 109 to identify thecontour profile of the vehicle 101 that describes the different heightpoints of the vehicle 101. In FIG. 5A, each dot 501 represents a heightpoint along one of the upper surfaces of the vehicle 101. For example,dot 501A represents a height of a front surface of the vehicle (e.g., onthe front bumper), dots 501B and 501D represent adjacent heights on thetop surface of the vehicle 101 (e.g., on the hood), and dot 501Crepresents a height on the rear surface of the vehicle 101 (e.g., on therear bumper). The optical sensor 301 and controller 109 may determinemultiple height points along each of the front, top, and rear surfacesof the vehicle. FIG. 5B illustrates a graph 503 of the height points ofthe vehicle 101 sensed over time by the optical sensor 301 andcontroller 109. The different height points collectively represent thecontour 505 of the upper surfaces of the vehicle 101, as shown in FIG.5B.

As mentioned previously, in the embodiment where the optical sensor 301is a light curtain sensor, the light curtain sensor may be positioned atan angle θ toward the front of the vehicle 101 where the angle θ ismeasured from a reference 309 that is normal to the ground as shown inFIG. 5A. The optical sensor 301 may be positioned at an angle rangebetween 13-17 degrees from the reference 309 in order to reduce themeasured distance between adjacent vehicle height points (e.g., heights501B and 501D) measured using the optical sensor 301. In one embodiment,the angle range of the optical sensor 301 is based on factors includingspeed of the vehicle 101 though the car wash system 100 and speed inwhich the telescoping unit 304 can be expanded/retracted. In oneembodiment, positioning the optical sensor 301 within the angle range of13-17 degrees from the reference 309 is based on the assumption that themoving speed of the vehicle is in a speed range of 200 mm/s to 380 mm/s(e.g., 7.8 inches/s to 14.9 inches/s) and that the telescoping unit 304can retract/expand at a maximum speed of 1 m/s.

Generally, the performance of the optical sensor 304 in measuring theheight points of the vehicle 101 varies depending on the angle of theoptical sensor 301 as shown in Table 1 below. The performance of theoptical sensor 301 describes the distance between adjacent heightpoints. In one embodiment, the optimum performance of the first washstage 103 occurs when the distance measured between adjacent heightpoints by the optical sensor 301 is 1 meter or less, given that thetelescoping unit 304 may expand/retract at a maximum speed of 1 m/s.

TABLE 1 Sensor Angle 0-12 degrees 13-17 degrees 18-20 degrees Vehicle200 mm/s to 380 200 mm/s to 380 200 mm/s to 380 Moving mm/s (e.g., 7.8in/s mm/s (e.g., 7.8 mm/s (e.g., 7.8 Speed to 14.9 in/s) in/s to 14.9in/s) in/s to 14.9 in/s) Perfor- Distance between Distance betweenDistance between mance adjacent height adjacent height adjacent heightpoints increases points within 1 m. points decreases compared to angleAdvantageous for compared to range 13-17 degrees. measuring height anglerange 13- Advantageous for of both front 17 degrees. measuring height ofand rear surfaces Advantageous for front of vehicle, but of vehiclemeasuring height disadvantageous for of rear of measuring heightvehicle, but of rear of vehicle. disadvantageous for measuring height offront of vehicle.

Generally, the distance between adjacent height points measured usingthe optical sensor 301 vary depending on the angle of the optical sensor301. For example, positioning the optical sensor 301 at an angle rangeof 13 to 17 degrees allows for adjacent height points measured using theoptical sensor 301 to be within 1 meter of each other and can measurefront and rear heights above 1 meter. Thus, the angle range of 13 to 17degrees for the optical sensor 301 is optimal given that the maximumspeed of the telescoping unit 304 is 1 m/s.

In contrast, positioning the optical sensor at an angle less than theangle range of 13 to 17 degrees such as between 0 to 12 degrees resultsin the distance between adjacent height points on the front, top, andrear surfaces of the vehicle 101 increasing compared to the distancebetween adjacent height points measured when the angle of the opticalsensor 301 is in the angle range of 13-17 degrees. Furthermore, using anangle of 0 to 12 degrees is advantageous for recognizing the height ofthe front of the vehicle 101 as the optical sensor 301 can measureheights above 600 mm (23.6 in), but disadvantageous for measuringheights of the rear surface of the vehicle 101.

Also, positioning the optical sensor at an angle greater than the anglerange of 13 to 17 degrees such as between 18 to 20 degrees results inthe distance between adjacent height points on the front, top, and rearsurfaces of the vehicle 101 decreasing compared to the distance betweenadjacent height points measured when the angle of the optical sensor 301is in the angle range of 13-17 degrees. However, using an angle of 18 to20 degrees is advantageous for recognizing the height of the rear of thevehicle 101 as the optical sensor 301 can measure heights above 800 mm(31.5 in), but is disadvantageous for measuring heights of the front ofthe vehicle 101. Thus, using an angle range of 13 to 17 degrees for theoptical sensor 301 results in the best performance for measuring theheights of the front and rear surfaces of the vehicle 101 while reducingthe distance between adjacent heights measured using the optical sensor301.

Telescoping Unit Operation

FIGS. 6A-6H illustrate operation of the first wash stage 103 of the washsystem 100 to wash front, top, and rear surfaces of a vehicle 101according to one embodiment. In particular, FIGS. 6A-6H illustrate howthe height of the wash unit 306 is adjusted in accordance with thevertical contour profile of the vehicle 101 by retracting or expandingthe telescoping unit 304. Due to the height of the wash unit 306 beingadjusted as the vehicle is moved under the wash unit 306, the wash unit306 is kept within a predetermined distance range from the uppersurfaces of the vehicle 101 to increase cleaning efficiency. In oneembodiment, the wash unit 306 is kept within the predetermined distancerange of 10 to 15 inches from the upper surfaces of the vehicle 100during the first wash stage 103 as the vehicle is moved under the washunit 306. By keeping the wash unit 306 within the predetermined distancerange, the water temperature of the water output by the wash unit 306may be in a predetermined temperature range (e.g., 110 to 140 degreesF.) when the water contacts the upper surfaces of the vehicle 101thereby resulting in enhanced wash performance in one embodiment.

FIG. 6A illustrates the initial position of the wash unit 306. The motor304 extends the telescoping unit 304 so as to position the wash unit 306at a position associated with a first height included in the contourprofile for the vehicle 101 to begin washing the front surface 601 ofthe vehicle 101. In FIG. 6B, the motor 305 retracts the telescoping unit304 in accordance with the contour profile of the vehicle 101 to raisethe wash unit 306 as the wash unit continues to spray water to clean thefront surface 601 of the vehicle 101. In FIG. 6C, the motor 305 furtherretracts the telescoping unit 304 thereby raising the wash unit 306 towash the top surface 603 (e.g., the hood) of the vehicle 101. In FIG.6D, the motor 305 again retracts the telescoping unit 304 furtherthereby raising the wash unit 306 to wash the top surface (e.g., theroof) 603 of the vehicle 101, and the motor 305 maintains the height ofthe telescoping unit 304 across the roof of the vehicle 101 as shown inFIG. 6E. In FIG. 6F, the motor 305 expands the telescoping unit 304thereby lowering the wash unit 306 to wash the top surface (e.g., thebed) 603 of the vehicle, and the motor 305 maintains the height of thetelescoping unit 304 across the bed of the vehicle as shown in FIG. 6F.The motor 305 further expands the telescoping unit 304 in FIGS. 6G-6H towash the rear surfaces 605 of the vehicle 601 as described with respectto FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 illustrates a detailed view of the first wash stage 103 as therear surface 605 of the vehicle 101 is washed. As shown in FIG. 7, thetelescoping unit 304 is positioned at an angle within a predeterminedangle range a with respect to reference line 701 that is positionednormal to ground. In one embodiment, the telescoping unit 304 is at thefixed angle within the angle range a while the telescoping unit 304 isnot in contact with the vehicle 101. That is, the telescoping unit 304remains at the angle during the duration of the first wash stage 103unless there is contact between the telescoping unit 304 and the vehicle101.

As shown in FIG. 7, the telescoping unit 304 is angled toward the rearsurface 605 of the vehicle 101 as the vehicle moves away from the firstwash stage 103. By angling the telescoping unit 304 toward the rearsurface 605 at the angle α while washing the rear of the vehicle 101,the wash unit 306 is able to stay within a predetermined distance rangefrom the rear surface 605 of the vehicle 101 for a duration of time asthe vehicle 101 moves farther away from the first wash stage 103. If thetelescoping unit 304 were not angled toward the rear of the vehicle 101while washing the rear surface of the vehicle 101, the telescoping unit304 would move only in the vertical direction (e.g., not in horizontaldirection) and the wash unit 306 would be unable to maintain thepredetermined distance range to the rear surface of the vehicle 101 asthe vehicle 101 moves away from the first wash stage 103. This resultsin insufficient cleaning of the rear surface of the vehicle 101.

However, since the telescoping unit 304 is angled towards the rearsurface of the vehicle 101 at the angle α while washing the rearsurface, the wash unit 306 is able to stay within the predetermineddistance range from the rear surface 605 as the vehicle 101 moves awayfor a duration of time until the vehicle 101 moves farther away from thefirst wash stage 103. While washing the rear surface of the vehicle 101,the angled telescoping unit 304 moves in both the horizontal andvertical directions as the telescoping unit 304 is expanded due to thetelescoping unit 304 being tilted at the angle α. Since the telescopingunit 304 moves in both the horizontal and vertical direction as thetelescoping unit 304 expands, the telescoping unit 304 allows for thewash unit 304 to stay within the predetermined distance range from therear of the vehicle 101 for a duration of time as the vehicle 101 movesaway from the first wash stage 101. That is, the first wash stage 103follows a contour of the rear surface of the vehicle 101 as the vehicle101 is moving away from the first wash stage 103. Since the first washstage 103 is capable of following the contour of the rear surface of thevehicle 101 as the vehicle moves away from the first wash stage 103, therear surface of the vehicle 101 is more thoroughly cleaned compared toif the telescoping unit 304 were to only move in the vertical directionwhile washing the rear surface of the vehicle 101.

The telescoping unit 304 may be positioned at an angle within an anglerange that matches the angle range of the optical sensor 301 in oneembodiment. That is, the telescoping unit 304 may be tilted at an anglewithin an angle range that is the same as the angle range of the opticalsensor 301. For example, the telescoping unit 304 is positioned at anangle between the angle range of 13 to 17 degrees from the reference 701and the angle range of the optical sensor 301 is also 13 to 17 degrees.In one embodiment, the telescoping unit 304 is tilted at the same angleas the optical sensor 301. For example, both the telescoping unit 304and the optical sensor 301 are tilted at an angle of 15 degrees.However, in other embodiments the telescoping unit 304 is positioned atan angle that is different from the angle of the optical sensor 301. Forexample, the telescoping unit 304 is positioned at an angle between theangle range of 13 to 17 degrees from the reference line 701 whereas theoptical sensor 301 is not tilted (e.g., positioned normal to ground).

In one embodiment, the angle range of the telescoping unit 304 is setbased on various factors including the predetermined distance range fromthe wash unit 306 to the upper surfaces of the vehicle 301, the initialposition (e.g., initial height) of the wash unit 306, and the size ofthe safety device 307. In one embodiment, positioning the telescopingunit 304 within the angle range of 13-17 degrees from the reference 701is based on the assumption that the wash unit 306 is kept within thepredetermined distance range of 10 to 15 inches from the upper surfacesof the vehicle 100, that the wash unit 306's initial position aboveground level is in a range from 480 mm to 520 mm (e.g., 18.8 in to 20.5in), and the diameter of the safety device 307 is in a range of 280 mmto 320 mm (e.g., 11 in to 12.6 in).

The performance of the telescoping unit 304 varies depending on theangle of the telescoping unit 304 as shown in Table 2 below.

TABLE 2 Telescoping Unit Angle 0-12 degrees 13-17 degrees 18-20 degreesDistance from 250 mm to 300 250 mm to 300 250 mm to 300 Water Nozzle tomm (e.g., 9.8 in mm (e.g., 9.8 in mm (e.g., 9.8 in Vehicle Surface to11.8 in) to 11.8 in) to 11.8 in) Water Nozzle 480 mm to 520 480 mm to520 480 mm to 520 Initial Position mm (e.g., 18.8 mm (e.g., 18.8 mm(e.g., 18.8 in to 20.5 in) in to 20.5 in) in to 20.5 in) Safety Device280 mm to 320 280 mm to 320 280 mm to 320 Diameter mm (e.g., 11 in mm(e.g., 11 in mm (e.g., 11 in to 12.6 in) to 12.6 in) to 12.6 in) NozzleDistance Excellent Good Poor Performance Collision Good Excellent PoorPerformance Front Cleaning Excellent Good Poor Performance Rear CleaningPoor Good Excellent Performance

Table 2 above describes the performance of the telescoping unit 304 whenpositioned at the different angle ranges of 1) 0 to 12 degrees 2) 13 to17 degrees and 3) 18 to 20 degrees. The performance of the telescopingunit 304 is described with respect to different types of performancecriteria such as nozzle distance performance, collision performance,front cleaning performance, and rear cleaning performance. For each typeof performance criteria, each angle range is assigned a score of“excellent,” “good,” or “poor” as will be further described below.

In one embodiment, nozzle distance performance describes how well endsof nozzles of the wash unit 306 are able to stay within thepredetermined water nozzle distance range to the upper surfaces of thevehicle 101 (e.g., 250 mm to 300 mm) when the telescoping unit 304 ispositioned at a given angle range. Note that the predetermined waternozzle distance range of 250 mm to 300 mm (e.g., 9.8 to 11.8 inches) isthe range used for testing the various telescoping unit 304 angles.However, in one embodiment the optimum water nozzle distance rangebetween the wash unit 306 and the upper surface of the vehicle 101 forwash performance is 10 to 15 inches.

Generally, the nozzles of the wash unit 306 are positioned as close aspossible to the upper surfaces of the vehicle 101 without contacting thevehicle. A score of “excellent” indicates that the wash unit 306 ismaintained at the lower end of the predetermined water nozzle distancerange (e.g., 250 mm) whereas as score of “good” indicates that the washunit 306 is maintained at a distance corresponding to the center of therange (e.g., 275 mm) in one embodiment. A score of “poor” indicates thatthe wash unit 306 is at a distance from the upper surfaces of thevehicle 101 that are outside of the predetermined water nozzle distancerange. A nozzle distance performance score of “good” or “excellent” areconsidered acceptable performance whereas a score of “poor” isunacceptable performance in one embodiment.

As shown in Table 2, positioning the telescoping unit 304 at an anglerange of 13-17 degrees resulted in “good” nozzle distance performancewhereas positioning the telescoping unit 304 at the angle range of 0 to12 degrees resulted in “excellent” nozzle distance performance. Incontrast, positioning the telescoping unit 304 at the angle range of 18to 20 degrees resulted in “poor” nozzle distance performance.

In one embodiment, collision performance describes the likelihood (e.g.,risk) of collision between the telescoping unit 304 and the front, top,and rear surfaces of the vehicle 101. With respect to collisionperformance, a score of “excellent” indicates that it is unlikely thatan impact will occur between the telescoping unit 304 and the vehicle101, whereas a score of “good” indicates that there is a possibility ofimpact between the telescoping unit 304 and the vehicle 101. Incontrast, a score of “poor” indicates that a collision between thetelescoping unit 304 and the vehicle 101 is likely to occur. A collisionperformance score of “good” or “excellent” are considered acceptableperformance whereas a score of “poor” is unacceptable performance in oneembodiment.

As shown in Table 2, positioning the telescoping unit 304 at an anglerange of 13-17 degrees resulted in “excellent” collision performanceindicating that a collision between the telescoping unit 304 and thevehicle 101 is unlikely to occur, whereas positioning the telescopingunit 304 at the angle range of 0 to 12 degrees resulted in “good”collision performance. Since the angle range of 0 to 12 degrees resultedin “good” collision performance, there is still a danger of contactbetween the telescoping unit 304 and the vehicle 101. As shown in Table2, positioning the telescoping unit 304 at the angle range of 18-20degrees resulted in “poor” performance indicating that contact betweenthe telescoping unit 304 and the vehicle 101 is likely.

In one embodiment, front cleaning performance describes the frontcleaning efficiency of the front surface of the vehicle 101 using thefirst wash stage 103. Front cleaning efficiency relates to how much ofthe front surface of the vehicle is washed. With respect to frontcleaning performance, a score of “excellent” indicates that almost allof the front surface of the vehicle is washed whereas a score of “good”indicates a majority of the front surface of the vehicle 101 is washed.In contrast, a score of “poor” indicates that the majority of the frontsurface of the vehicle is unwashed after washing is performed by thefirst wash stage 101. A front performance score of “good” or “excellent”are considered acceptable performance whereas a score of “poor” isunacceptable performance in one embodiment.

As shown in Table 2, positioning the telescoping unit 304 at an anglerange of 13-17 degrees resulted in “good” front cleaning performance inthat the majority of the front surface of the vehicle 101 is cleaned.Similarly, positioning the telescoping unit 304 at an angle range of 0to 12 degrees resulted in “excellent” front cleaning performance in thatalmost all of the front surface of the vehicle 101 is cleaned. As shownin Table 2, positioning the telescoping unit 304 at the angle range of18-20 degrees resulted in “poor” performance indicating that themajority of the front surface of the vehicle 101 is unwashed afterwashing is performed by the first wash stage 101.

In one embodiment, rear cleaning performance describes the rear cleaningefficiency of the rear surface of the vehicle 101 using the first washstage 103. Rear cleaning efficiency relates to how much of the rearsurface of the vehicle is washed. With respect to rear cleaningperformance, a score of “excellent” indicates that almost all of therear surface of the vehicle is washed whereas a score of “good”indicates a majority of the rear surface of the vehicle 101 is washed.In contrast, a score of “poor” indicates that the majority of the rearsurface of the vehicle is unwashed after washing is performed by thefirst wash stage 101. A rear performance score of “good” or “excellent”are considered acceptable performance whereas a score of “poor” isunacceptable performance in one embodiment.

As shown in Table 2, positioning the telescoping unit 304 at the anglerange of 13 to 17 degrees resulted in “good” cleaning performance inthat the majority of the rear surface of the vehicle 101 is washed. Dueto the angle range of 13 to 17 degrees of the telescoping unit 304, thewash unit 306 is able to wash the majority of the rear surface of thevehicle 101 as the vehicle 101 moves away from the front wash stage 101.In contrast, positioning the telescoping unit 304 at an angle range of0-12 degrees resulted in “poor” rear cleaning performance in that themajority of the front surface of the vehicle 101 is unwashed. Due to theshallow angle of the telescoping unit 304 when positioned at the anglerange of 0 to 12 degrees, the wash unit 306 cannot adequately clean therear surface of the vehicle 101 as it moves away from the front washstage 101 due the telescoping unit 304 moving in the vertical direction,but not the horizontal direction. Since the telescoping unit 304 movesmostly in the vertical direction, the wash unit 306 cannot stay withinthe predetermined distance range to the rear surface of the vehicle 101as the vehicle 101 moves away from the first wash stage 103. Lastly,positioning the telescoping unit 304 at an angle range of 18 to 20degrees resulted in “excellent” rear cleaning performance in that themajority of the rear surface of the vehicle 101 is cleaned during thefirst wash stage 101. Due to the large angle, the wash unit 306 is ablewash almost all of the rear surface of the vehicle 101 as the vehicle101 moves away from the first wash stage 101 since the telescoping unit304 moves in both the horizontal and vertical direction as thetelescoping unit 304 expands to wash the rear surface of the vehicle101.

As shown in Table 2, in general as the angle range of the telescopingunit 304 decreases, the likelihood of collision decreases while alsoreducing overall cleaning performance (e.g., front and rear cleaningperformance). In contrast, as the angle range of the telescoping unit304 increases, the overall cleaning efficiency (e.g., front and rearcleaning performance) increases, but at the expense of decreasedcollision performance. The angle range of 13 to 17 degrees for thetelescoping unit 304 results in the best balance of the different typesof performance criteria such as nozzle distance performance, collisionperformance, front cleaning performance, and rear cleaning performance.

Telescoping Unit 304

FIGS. 8A-8D illustrates a detailed view of stages of the telescopingunit 304 according to one embodiment. Note that there are states of thetelescoping unit 304 that are in between the different states of thetelescoping unit 304 shown in FIGS. 8A-8D. In one embodiment, thetelescoping unit 304 includes a plurality of rail stages 801A, 801B,801C, and 801D. Rail stage 801A is the first rail stage, rail stage 801Bis the second rail stage, rail stage 801C is the third rail stage, andrail stage 801D is the fourth rail stage, for example. In oneembodiment, the telescoping unit 304 is collapsible such that railstages 801B to 801D can be collapsed to fit within rail stage 801A aswill be described. The rail stages 801 may be made of aluminum forexample, but other materials may be used.

FIG. 8A illustrates the telescoping unit 304 in the fully expandedstate. In the fully expanded state, each rail stage 801 is fullyexpanded such that it protrudes from its preceding rail stage as far aspossible. In the fully expanded state, the telescoping unit 304 is atits longest possible length. In the fully expanded state of thetelescoping unit 304, rail stage 801D is fully expanded from rail stage801C, rail stage 801C is fully expanded from rail stage 801B, and railstage 801B is fully expanded from rail stage 801A.

FIG. 8B illustrates the telescoping unit 304 in a first intermediatestate. In the first intermediate state, the last rail stage 801D iscollapsed within its preceding rail stage 801C. In the firstintermediate state, rail stage 801D is housed within its preceding railstage 801C while rail stage 801C and rail stage 801B are fully expandedfrom their respective preceding rail stage. For example, rail stage 801Cis fully expanded from rail stage 801B and rail stage 801B is fullyexpanded from rail stage 801A.

FIG. 8C illustrates the telescoping unit 304 in a second intermediatestate. In the second intermediate state, the last rail stage 801D iscollapsed within its preceding rail stage 801C and the third rail stage801C is collapsed within its preceding rail stage 801B. In the secondintermediate state, rail stage 801C is housed within its preceding railstage 801B while rail stage 801B is fully expanded from its respectivepreceding rail stage. For example, rail stage 801B is fully expandedfrom rail stage 801A. Since the last rail stage 801D is collapsed withinrail stage 801C from the first intermediate stage, the last rail stage801D is also collapsed within rail stage 801B while rail stage 801C iscollapsed within rail stage 801B.

FIG. 8D illustrates the telescoping unit 304 in a fully collapsed state.In the fully collapsed state, the telescoping unit 304 is at itsshortest possible length. As shown in FIG. 8D, in the fully collapsedstate, the second rail stage 801B is collapsed within its preceding railstage 801A (e.g., the first rail stage). Since rail stage 801D and railstage 801C are both collapsed within rail stage 801B in the secondintermediate state, in the fully collapsed state, rail stages 801D,801C, and 801B are all housed within rail stage 801A.

FIG. 8E illustrates a plan view of each of rail stages 801A to 801Daccording to one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8E, each rail stage801A-801D includes a plurality of vertical sides 802 arranged along afirst direction (e.g., Y direction) and a plurality of horizontal sides803 arranged along a second direction (e.g., X direction). For example,the plurality of vertical sides 802 of each rail stage 801A-801D includea vertical side 802A and a vertical side 802B opposite to the verticalside 802A. Furthermore, the plurality of horizontal sides 803 of eachrail stage 801A-801D includes a horizontal side 803A, horizontal side803B, and horizontal side 803B spaced apart from each other, forexample.

Each rail stage 801A to 801D includes an outer width A measured from theouter edge 805A of the vertical side 802A to the outer edge 805B ofvertical side 802B of the respective rail stage 801, and an inner widthB measured from the inner edge 807A of the vertical side 802A to theinner edge 807B of vertical side 802B of the respective rail stage. Asshown in Figure A, outer width A is greater than inner width B for eachrespective rail stage.

As shown in FIG. 8E, rail stage 801A is the widest rail stage amongstall the rail stages given that rail stages 801B to 801D are configuredto be housed within rail stage 801A when the telescoping unit 304 isfully collapsed. That is, rail stage 801A has the widest width A fromamongst all rail stages 801A to 801D. Each subsequent rail stagefollowing rail stage 801A has a smaller width A than the rail stage thatpreceded it. For example, the outer width A of rail stage 801B is lessthan the outer width A of rail stage 801A, but is greater than the outerwidth A of rail stage 801C and rail stage 801D. The outer width A ofrail stage 801C is wider than outer width A of rail stage 801D, but lessthan outer width A of rail stage 801B and outer width A of rail stage801A. Lastly, outer width A of rail stage 801D is less than outer widthA of each of rail stages 801A to 801C.

In one embodiment, the outer width A of each rail stage except for railstage 801A is less than the inner width B of the rail stage immediatelypreceding the given rail stage. This allows for each rail stage exceptfor rail stage 801A to fit within the preceding rail stage when thetelescoping unit 304 is collapsed. For example, the outer width A ofrail stage 801B is less than the inner width B of rail stage 801A sothat rail stage 801B can fit within rail stage 801A when the telescopingunit 304 is collapsed. Similarly, the outer width A of rail stage 801Cis less than the inner width B of rail stage 801B so that rail stage801C can fit within rail stage 801B when the telescoping unit 304 iscollapsed. Lastly, the outer width A of rail stage 801D is less than theinner width B of rail stage 801C so that rail stage 801D can fit withinrail stage 801C when the telescoping unit 304 is collapsed.

FIG. 8F illustrates a perspective view of the telescoping unit 304according to one embodiment. In the fully expanded state, thetelescoping unit 304 has a length C of 266 to 267 inches according toone embodiment. However, other lengths may be used for length C. Theplurality of rail stages each have a length E (e.g., lengths E1, E2, E3,and E4). In one embodiment, rail stage 801A is the longest rail stagewith a length E1 of 89 inches. The remaining rail stages 801B to 801Dhave the same length E of 59 inches in one embodiment. In otherembodiments, rail stages 801B to 801D have different lengths or the samelength.

In one embodiment, each rail stage 801 has a thickness D. Rail stage801A has the largest thickness D amongst all rail stages 801 (e.g.,thicknesses D1, D2, D3, and D3). The thickness D4 of each rail stage 801subsequent to rail stage 801A decreases such that the thickness D of agiven rail stage is smaller than the preceding rail stage. For example,the thickness D2 of rail stage 801B is smaller than thickness D1 of railstage 801A. Similarly, thickness D3 of rail stage 801C is smaller thanthickness D2 of rail stage 801B. Lastly, thickness D4 of rail stage 801Dis smaller than thickness D3 of rail stage 801C.

Referring to FIGS. 9A-9D, components of a rail stage 801 are shownaccording to one embodiment. The components of the rail stage 801 shownin FIGS. 9A-9D are applicable to all of the rail stages 801. In oneembodiment, each vertical side 802 of each rail stage 801 except forrail stage 801A includes a plurality of side rollers 902 disposed at oneend (e.g., a top end) of the rail stage 801. FIG. 9A illustrates thatthe vertical side 802 of the rail stage 801B includes a first sideroller 902A and second side roller 902B. The side rollers 902 of eachrail stage 801 are mounted on the outer edge 805 of the rail stage 801.Referring specifically to FIG. 9C, each side roller 902 is mounted tothe outer surface 805 of its respective rail stage 801 using fastenerssuch as a nut 909 and bolt 907.

Thus, each rail stage 801 except for rail stage 801A may include a totalof four side rollers 901 with two side rollers mounted on the outer edge805 of each vertical side 802 of the rail stage 801. Having four siderollers 901 reduces the likelihood of the telescoping unit 304 ofshaking while being collapsed or expanded. In one embodiment, the siderollers 902 are made of nylon, but other materials may be used. The siderollers 901 may have a diameter of 1 inch for example, but may haveother diameters.

Furthermore, in one embodiment, both vertical sides 802A and 802B ofeach rail stage 801 includes a slot 901 that runs along the length ofeach vertical side 802 as shown in FIG. 9A. The side rollers 902 of agiven rail stage are disposed within the slot 901 of the given railstage's preceding rail stage. For example, assuming FIG. 9A illustratesside rollers 902 of rail stage 801B, the side rollers 902 are disposedwithin the slot 901 of rail stage 801A. The combination of the siderollers 902 and the slots 901 on the rail stages restrict the directionof movement of the telescoping unit 304 in the direction of the slots901 during the expansion or retraction of the telescoping unit 304.

In one embodiment, each vertical side 802 of each rail stage 801includes one or more cam rollers 903. The cam rollers 903 of each railstage 801 are disposed at least at one end of the rail stage 801. Thecam rollers 903 may be disposed at both the top and bottom ends of therail stage 801 or may be disposed only at one end of the rail stage.FIG. 9A illustrates that the vertical side 802 of the rail stage 801Aincludes a cam roller 903 disposed at notch 905 formed in a corner ofthe bottom end of the vertical side 802 of the rail stage 801A. The camroller 903 protrudes from the notch 905 of the vertical side 802 of railstage 801A in a direction that is perpendicular to the outer surface 805of the vertical side 802 of the rail stage 801A. As shown in FIG. 9C,the cam roller 903 includes a threaded end 911 that screws into a holeformed within the notch 905 of the vertical side 902 in order to attachthe cam roller 903 to the vertical side 802 of the rail stage 801. Thecam rollers 903 may have a diameter of 1.4 inch for example, but mayhave other diameters. The cam rollers 903 may be made of nylon, butother materials may be used.

In one embodiment, the cam roller 903 of each rail stage 801 is incontact with the outer surface 805 of the subsequent rail stage 801. Forexample, cam roller 903 of rail stage 801A is in contact with the outersurface 805 of rail stage 801B as shown in FIG. 9A. The usage of the camrollers 903 improves smooth movement of the telescoping unit 304 as therail stages 801 are collapsed and expanded. The cam rollers 903 alsoassist in guiding each rail stage 801 in the proper direction as therail stages 801 are collapsed and expanded. Given that the cam rollers903 and side rollers 902 are made of nylon and the rail stages 801 aremade of aluminum in one embodiment, wear on the rollers 902, 903 and therail stages 801 is reduced thereby extending the time period betweenreplacement of parts of the telescoping unit 304.

As the telescoping unit 304 is transitioned between the collapsed andthe expanded states, the different rail stages 801 of the telescopingunit 304 collide with one another. Collision between the different railstages 801 creates shock which may damage the telescoping unit 304. Inone embodiment, each rail stage 801 of the telescoping unit 304 includesone or more shock reducing units 1000 as shown in FIGS. 10A to 10E toreduce damage to the different rail stages 801 as the telescoping unit304 is expanded and contracted.

In one embodiment, the shock reducing unit 1000B at the top of a railstage 801 includes an impact reduction block 1001. The impact reductionblock 1001 is made of a shock absorbent material used to reduce impactsuch as urethane in one embodiment, but other materials may be used. Theimpact reduction block 1001 is mounted on a topmost horizontal side 803of the rail stage 801 as shown in FIG. 10A. The impact reduction block1001 is made of a material that is more elastic than the topmosthorizontal side 803 of the rail stage. The impact reduction block 1001may have a width that is the same width of the topmost horizontal side803 of the rail stage 801 or may have a smaller width.

In one embodiment, the shock reducing unit 1000A at the bottom of a railstage 801 includes a shock absorber 1003 and a plurality of impactreduction pads 1005. The shock absorber 1003 may be positioned betweenends of the lowermost horizontal side 803 of the rail stage (e.g., atthe center) as shown in FIG. 10A in one embodiment. The plurality ofimpact reduction pads 1005 may include a first impact reduction pad1005A mounted at one side (e.g., left side) of the shock absorber 1003and a second impact reduction pad 1005B mounted at a second side (e.g.,right side) of the shock absorber 1003. The plurality of impactreduction pads 1005 are mounted on the lowermost horizontal side 803 ofthe rail stage. The plurality of impact reduction pads 1005 are made ofa material that is more elastic than the lowermost horizontal side 803of the rail stage. For example, the impact reduction pads 1005 may bemade of urethane, but other materials may be used.

In one embodiment, intermediate rail stages 801B to 801C may include theshock reducing unit 1000A at the top of the rail stage and the shockreducing unit 1000B at the bottom of the rail stage 801. In contrast,end rail stages 801A and 801D may include one of shock reducing unit1000A or 1000B. For example, rail stage 801A may include shock reducingunit 1000B at the bottom of the rail stage 801A without any shockreducing unit 1000 at the top of the rail stage whereas rail stage 801Dmay include shock reducing unit 1000A at the top of the rail stage 801Dwithout any shock reducing unit 1000B at the bottom of the rail stage801D.

FIGS. 10B and 10C illustrate usage of the shock reducing unit 1000B asthe telescoping unit 304 is collapsed according to one embodiment. FIG.10B illustrates a shock reducing unit 1000B of a rail stage 801. Theshock reducing unit 1000B includes an impact reduction block 1001. FIG.10C illustrates as the telescoping unit 304 is collapsed, the shockreducing unit 1000B buffers the impact between the two adjacent railstages 801. In FIG. 10C, the impact reduction block 1001 reduced theamount of impact between adjacent rail stages as the impact reductionblock 1001 contacts the horizontal side 803 of the adjacent rail stage.Since the impact reduction block 1001 is made of a material (e.g.,urethane) that is more elastic than the horizontal side 803 of theadjacent rail stage, the impact reduction block 1001 dampens the shockbetween adjacent rail stages when the rail stages come into contact.

FIGS. 10D and 10E illustrate usage of the shock reducing unit 1000A asthe telescoping unit 304 is expanded according to one embodiment. FIGS.10D and 10E illustrate a shock reducing unit 1000A of a rail stage 801.The shock reducing unit 1000A includes a shock absorber 1003 and aplurality of impact reduction pads 1005. In one embodiment, thetelescoping unit 304 may expand at a faster speed than it can collapsegiven gravity. Thus, a shock absorber 1003 may be employed to protectthe telescoping unit 304 from damage during expansion.

FIGS. 10D and 10E illustrate as the telescoping unit 304 is expanded,the shock reducing unit 1000B buffers the impact between the twoadjacent rail stages 801. In FIGS. 10D and 10E, the shock absorber 1003initially contacts the horizontal side 803 of the adjacent rail stage asthe telescoping unit 304 is expanded. The shock absorber 1003 slows thespeed at which the two rail stages contact each other. The plurality ofimpact reduction pads 1005 contact the horizontal side 803 of theadjacent rail stage to further dampen the impact of collision betweenadjacent rail stages to reduce the damage to the telescoping unit 304during expansion of the telescoping unit 304.

FIG. 11 illustrates a detailed view of a mechanism for retracting andcollapsing the telescoping unit of the first wash stage 103 according toone embodiment. As mentioned previously, the first wash stage includes amotor 305 connected to the telescoping unit 304. The first wash stage103 also includes a wire 319 including a first end connected to a drum321 (shown in FIG. 12) and a second end connected to the telescopingunit 304. In one embodiment, the second end of the wire 319 is connectedto the bottommost horizontal side 803 for the last rail stage 801D.

In one embodiment, the telescoping unit 304 is collapsed or expanded asa result of the motor 305 respectively raising or lowering the wire 319via the drum 321 according to the contour profile of a vehicle 101. Thecontroller 109 uses the vertical contour profile of the vehicle 101 tocontrol an amount in which the motor 305 rotates to raise or lower thewire 319 to achieve the various height points described in the verticalcontour profile of the vehicle 101. As will be described further below,in one embodiment a lookup table may be stored that translates thenumber of turns required by the motor 305 to achieve an amount ofvertical movement that is mapped to a specific height point in thevertical contour profile of the vehicle 101.

For example, assuming that the telescoping unit 304 is in the fullyexpanded state or in an intermediate state between fully expanded andfully collapsed, as the motor 305 raises the wire 319, each of theplurality of rail stages 801 of the telescoping unit 304 are raised andbecome housed within an adjacent rail stage as previously describedabove. The plurality of rail stages 801 can be raised by the motor 305and the wire 319 until the telescoping unit 304 is in the fullycollapsed state or an intermediate state between fully collapsed orfully expanded.

Conversely, assuming that the telescoping unit 304 is in the fullycollapsed state or at an intermediate state between fully collapsed andfully expanded, as the motor 305 lowers the wire 319, the plurality ofrail stages 801 of the telescoping unit 304 expands. The plurality ofrail stages 801 can be lowered by the motor 305 and wire 319 until thetelescoping unit 304 is in the fully expanded state or an intermediatestate between fully collapsed or fully expanded.

In one embodiment, the motor 305 applies only a vertical force to thewire 319 to retract or expand the telescoping unit 304. That is, themotor 305 applies force to the wire 319 in the vertical direction toretract or expand the telescoping unit 304, but not the horizontaldirection. However, given that the telescoping unit 304 is positioned atan angle, the telescoping unit 304 moves in both the vertical directionand the horizontal direction responsive to the vertical force applied bythe motor 305 in retracting the telescoping unit 304 or expanding thetelescoping unit 304.

In one embodiment, the wire 319 is made of a flexible material such ashigh-modulus polyethylene (e.g., ultra-high-molecular-weightpolyethylene (UHMWPE)) which is typically used in marine applications(e.g., boats). However, other embodiments may use different materialthan UHMWPE. The wire 319 may have a thickness of 0.3 inches and is 165inches in length in one embodiment. However, other wire thicknesses andlengths may be used in other embodiments.

FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C illustrate detailed views of a drum 321 and wire319 for expanding and collapsing the telescoping rail 304 of the firstwash stage 103 according to one embodiment. Referring to FIG. 12A, thefirst wash stage 101 further includes the drum 321. The drum 321 may bemade of nylon and have a diameter of 7.8 inches for example. Othermaterials and sizes for the drum 321 may be used in other embodiments.

The drum 321 is coupled to the motor 304 and one end of the wire 319 isconnected to the drum 321 in one embodiment. As the motor 304 rotates,the drum 321 also rotates thereby wrapping the wire 319 around the drum321 or unwrapping the wire 319 from the drum 321. For example, if thedrum 321 rotates clockwise, the telescoping rail 304 is collapsed as thewire 319 wraps around the drum 321. If the drum 321 rotatescounterclockwise, the telescoping rail 304 expands thereby unwrappingthe wire 319 from around the drum 321.

FIGS. 12B and 12C are cross-section views of the drum 321 along lineA-A′ according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the drum 321includes a plurality of grooves 1201. The wire 319 is disposed withinthe plurality of grooves 1201 as the wire 319 is wrapped around the drum321. In one embodiment, the diameter of the wire 319 is larger than thedepth of the plurality of grooves 1201. This reduces the likelihood ofthe write 319 breaking as it is wound or unwound from the drum 321.

Wash Unit 306

FIGS. 13A-13D illustrate detailed views of the wash unit 306. In oneembodiment, the wash unit 306 include a front manifold 306A and a rearmanifold 306B. The front manifold 306A is a chamber that houses waterused to wash the front and top surfaces of the vehicle 101 whereas therear manifold 306B is a chamber that houses water used to wash the rearsurface of the vehicle 101. The front and rear manifolds 306A, 306B maybe made of metal such as stainless steel, but other materials may beused.

FIG. 13A shows a perspective view of the wash unit 306 and FIG. 13Bshows a side view of the wash unit 306 in one embodiment. As shown inFIG. 13A, the front manifold 306A and the rear manifold 306B have a pipeshape. The length of the front and rear manifolds 306 is 63 inches witha diameter of 1 inch in one embodiment. The front manifold 306A and therear manifold 306B are attached to the bottom end of the last rail stage801D of the telescoping unit 304 in one embodiment. The front manifold306A and the rear manifold 306B may be attached to the end of the railstage 801 using couplers 1303A and 1303B. The couplers 13013 aredisposed at each side of the end of the last rail stage 801D andsurround at least a portion of the front manifold 306A and the rearmanifold 306B as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B.

In one embodiment, the front manifold 306A includes an input port 1301Aconnected to the water supply line 303A. The input port 1301A supplieswater provided by the water supply line 303A to the front manifold 306A.The rear manifold 306B includes an input port 1301B connected to thewater supply line 303B. The input port 1301B supplies water provided bythe water supply line 303B to the rear manifold 306B.

The front manifold 306A sprays the water supplied by the water supplyline 303A using a plurality of nozzles 1305 shown in FIG. 13C. Asmentioned previously, the front manifold 306A is used to wash the frontand top surfaces of the vehicle 101 until the front and top surfaces areno longer overlapping with the front manifold 306A. In one embodiment,the nozzles 1305 are equally spaced apart from each other. For example,each nozzle 1305 may be spaced apart from an adjacent nozzle 1305 by10.2 inches. Other distance spacing between nozzles may be used. In oneembodiment, the water sprayed from each nozzle 1305 creates an overlapsection 1309 with water sprayed by an adjacent nozzle 1305. Byoverlapping the sprayed water to create the overlap section 1309,cleaning efficiency of the front and top surfaces of the vehicle 101 isimproved. In one embodiment, the overlap 1309 of water sprayed byadjacent nozzles 1305 is 1.5 inches.

The rear manifold 306B sprays the water supplied by the water supplyline 303B using a plurality of nozzles 1307. As mentioned previously,the rear manifold 306B is used to wash the top and back surfaces of therear of the vehicle 101 while the rear top and back surfaces areoverlapping with the rear manifold 306B. The nozzles 1307 on the rearmanifold 306B and the nozzles 1305 on the front manifold 306A areinterdependently controlled to wash the front, top, and rear surfaces ofthe vehicle 101 as described below. In one embodiment, the nozzles 1307are equally spaced apart from each other similar to nozzles 1305. Forexample, each nozzle 1307 may be spaced apart from an adjacent nozzle1307 by 10.2 inches. Other distance spacing between the nozzles 1307 maybe used. In one embodiment, the water sprayed from each nozzle 1307creates an overlap section 1311 with water sprayed by an adjacent nozzle1307. By overlapping the sprayed water to create the overlap section1311, cleaning efficiency of the rear surface of the vehicle 101 isimproved. In one embodiment, the overlap 1311 of water sprayed byadjacent nozzles 1307 is 1.5 inches.

FIG. 13D illustrates the angle of position of the nozzles 1305 of thefront manifold 306A and the angle of position of the nozzles 1307 of therear manifold 306B with respect to reference line 1313 that is parallelto ground according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the angle 1315of nozzles 1305 is less than the angle 1317 of nozzles 1307. Forexample, the nozzles 1305 of the front manifold 306A are at an angle of5 degrees above the reference line 1313 whereas nozzles 1307 of the rearmanifold 306B are at an angle of 60 degrees below the reference line1313. The arrangement of the nozzles 1305 and 1307 in combination withthe nozzles 1305 and 1307 being kept within the predetermined distancerange of the front, top, and rear surfaces of the vehicle 101 providesthe most effective washing. Note that the angles of the nozzles 1305 and1307 are exemplary and other angles may be used in other embodiments.

FIG. 14 illustrates another embodiment of the wash unit 306. In theembodiment of FIG. 14, the wash unit 306 includes a tilt device 1405, awater manifold 1401, and nozzles 1403 according to one embodiment. InFIG. 14, the wash unit 306 includes a single manifold rather than twowater manifolds as described in the embodiment of FIG. 14. The set ofnozzles 1403 rotate about the axis of the water manifold 1401 dependingon whether the front, top, and rear surfaces of the vehicle are beingwashed in one embodiment. That is, the nozzles 1403 may rotate betweenpositions A and B to change the angle of the nozzles 1403 depending onwhich portion of the vehicle 101 is being washed. The angle of the watermanifold 1401 is changed by a tilt device 1405. The tilt device 1405 mayinclude a gear that spins to change the rotation of the nozzles 1403between positions A and B.

Safety Device 307

FIG. 15A illustrates a detailed view of the safety device 307 accordingto one embodiment. As mentioned above, the safety device 307 includessafety device 307A on a first portion of the wash unit 306 and safetydevice 307B on a second portion of the wash unit 306 such that thesafety device 307A and safety device 307B are spaced apart from eachother. The safety device 307 reduces damage to vehicle 101 if there isimpact between the telescoping unit 305 and the vehicle 101 due to thematerial of the safety device 307 and the safety device 307 rollingalong the upper surfaces of the vehicle 101 upon contact of the safetydevice 307 and the vehicle 101.

FIG. 15B illustrates an exploded view of the safety device 307. In oneembodiment, each of safety device 307A and safety device 307B includes ahousing 1501, an damage mitigator 1503, a cover 1505, a bushing 1507,and a bracket 1509. The housing 1501 functions as the frame for thesafety device 307A. All of the components of the safety device 307Battach to the housing 1501.

The housing 1501 includes a groove 1511 in one embodiment. The impactmitigator 1503 is disposed within the groove 1511 of the housing 1501.As shown in FIG. 15B, the impact mitigator 1503 has a ring shape with acurved surface in one embodiment. Due to the curved surface of thedamage mitigator 1503, the groove 1511 also has a curved surface thatcorresponds to the curvature of the damage mitigator 1503 to ensure asnug fit of the damage mitigator 1503 within the groove 1511.

The damage mitigator 1503 is made of elastic material so as to reducedamage to the vehicle 101 upon contact between the safety device 307 andthe vehicle 101. For example, the damage mitigator 1503 is made of shockabsorbent material such as ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM). Inone embodiment, in the case of contact, the only portion of the safetydevice 307 that contacts the vehicle is damage mitigator 1503. Damage tothe vehicle 101 is reduced due to impact absorption by the damagemitigator 1503 and rolling of the safety device 307 while the safetydevice 307 is in contact with the vehicle 101.

In one embodiment, the bushing 1507 is inserted in a hole at the centerof the housing 1501. The bushing 1507 may be a sleeve bearing forexample. The bracket 1509 is inserted into the bushing 1507 such thatthe bracket 1509 is disposed at one side of the housing 1501 (e.g., leftside). The bracket 1509 includes a plurality of holes 1513 which arealigned with holes 1515 on the housing 1501 and holes 1517 on the cover1505. The cover 1505 is inserted into another side of the housing 1501(e.g., right side). Fasteners (e.g., screws, nuts, bolts, etc.) may beused to secure the bracket 1509, housing 1501, and cover 1505 together.

Rotation Apparatus 1600

FIG. 16A illustrates a collision between the vehicle 101 and the safetydevice 307 during the first wash stage 103. In one embodiment, the firstwash stage 103 includes a rotation apparatus 1600 shown in FIGS. 16B-16Cthat rotates the telescoping unit 304 in response to a collision betweenthe vehicle 101 and the safety device 101. In one embodiment, therotation apparatus 1600 is a passive device. The force of a collisionbetween the vehicle 101 and the safety device 307 causes the rotationapparatus 1600 to rotate the telescoping unit 304 about the hinge point1608 thereby increasing the angle α between the telescoping unit 304 andreference line 701. As mentioned previously, the telescoping unit 304 ispositioned between the angle range of 13 to 17 degrees from thereference 701 during normal operation of the first wash stage 103.However, if a collision occurs between the vehicle 101 and the safetydevice 307, the telescoping unit 304 is rotated upward to an anglegreater than the angle range of 13 to 17 degrees to prevent or at leastreduce any further damage to the vehicle 101. For example, the rotationapparatus 1600 allows the telescoping unit 304 to rotate upward to anangle up to 60 degrees from the reference 701.

Referring to FIG. 16B, the rotational apparatus 1600 is shown accordingto one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 16B, the rotation apparatus 1600includes a shock 1601, the hinge point 1608, and an oil supply 1603 thatare mounted to the mounting plate 313 in one embodiment. The shock 1601includes a first end connected to the telescoping unit 304 and a secondend connected to the mounting plate 313. The first end of the shock 1601may be connected to a horizontal side 803 of one of the plurality ofrail stages 801 such as a horizontal side 803 of the rail stage 801A.The oil supply 1603 is coupled to the shock 1601 to supply the shock1601 with oil.

To reduce damage to the vehicle 101, the telescoping unit 304 rotatesabout the hinge point 1608 upward upon impact between the vehicle 101and the safety device 307. As mentioned above, the telescoping unit 304rotates due to the force from the collision between the vehicle 101 andthe safety device 307.

In one embodiment, pressure is always supplied to the oil supply 1603that applies oil to the shock 1601. As a result, the shock 1601 appliesa constant force on the telescoping unit 304 to reduce the weight of thetelescoping unit 304 as the telescoping unit 304 rotates about the hingepoint 1608. When the vehicle 101 clears the first wash stage 103, thetelescoping unit 304 returns to its initial position due to gravity andthe weight of the telescoping unit 304. In one embodiment, the shock1601 slows the rate in which the angle of the telescoping unit 304 isreturned back to its initial position by applying the constant force tothe telescoping unit 304. However, the weight of the telescoping unit304 and gravity are enough to overcome the force applied by shock 1601,but the shock is still able to slow the rate in which the telescopingunit 304 returns back to its initial angle. If the first wash stage 103lacked the shock 1601 and oil supply 1603, the telescoping unit 304would quickly return to its initial angle prior to collision therebyincreasing the likelihood of damage to the first wash stage 103.

Overview of a First Embodiment of the Second Wash Stage 105

Referring to FIG. 17, a perspective view of the second wash stage 105 ofthe car wash system 100 is shown according to one embodiment. In oneembodiment, the second wash stage 105 includes a frame 1701, a pluralityof arms 1703, a plurality of base assemblies 1705, a plurality of nozzleassemblies 1707, a plurality of collision prevention units 1709,intermediate stop circuit lines 1711, and cylinders 1713 that are eachdescribed in further detail below. However, the second wash stage 105may have additional or fewer components than described herein.

The frame 1701 is a structure used to support the other components ofthe second wash stage 105. For example, one end of each of the pluralityof arms 1703 is attached to the frame 1701 and the base assemblies 1705that are attached to a second end of the plurality of arms 1703 arefloating (e.g., hanging) so as not to contact the ground. In particular,the plurality of arms 1703 are attached to mounting plates 1701Dincluded in the frame 1701. In one embodiment, the plurality of arms1703 and the plurality of base assemblies 1705 are collectivelyconsidered a width adjusting unit of the second wash stage 105.

The frame 1701 includes a plurality of frame rails that collectivelyform the frame 1701. Frame rails 1701A to 1701C shown in FIG. 17 aremerely examples of horizontal and vertical frame rails. The frame 1701may be made of metal such as steel or aluminum or other metals. Theframe 1701 has a height greater than 90 inches (e.g., 119.7 inches) anda width greater than 126 inches (e.g., 165.4 inches) in one embodiment.This allows for the second wash stage 105 to accommodate vehicles 101with a maximum height of 90 inches and a maximum width of 126 inches.However, the frame 1701 may have different dimensions depending on thesize of the vehicles being washed.

In one embodiment, the plurality of arms 1703 support the baseassemblies 1705. The plurality of arms 1703 includes a first set of armsand a second set of arms. Each set of arms is configured to connect toone of the plurality of base assemblies 1705. For example, the first setof arms includes arms 1703A and 1703B that connect the base assembly1705A (e.g., a driver side base assembly) to the frame 1701. The secondset of arms include arms 1703C and 1703D that connect the base assembly1705B (e.g., a passenger side base assembly) to the frame 1701. As shownin FIG. 17, the base assemblies 1705 are floating off the ground (not incontact) due to being connected to the arms 1703.

In one embodiment, the base assemblies 1705 adjust the variable width ofthe second wash stage 105. Generally, base assemblies 1705 are floatingoff the ground by hanging from the frame 1701 via the hanging arms 1703(e.g., the base assemblies 1705 are floating above ground level) andcontact the vehicle 101 to adjust the width of the second wash stage 105based on the width of the vehicle 101. As will be further describedbelow, the base assemblies 1705 contact tires of the vehicle 101 whichthereby push the base assemblies 1705 outward to adjust the width of thesecond wash stage 105 in accordance with the width of the vehicle 101.

In one embodiment, a plurality of nozzle assemblies 1707 (e.g., a washunit) wash vehicle 101 by spraying water on the side surfaces of thevehicle 101. In other embodiments, the nozzle assemblies 1707 may spraydetergent such as soap in addition to water. The nozzle assemblies 1707are installed on the base assemblies 1705 as shown in FIG. 17, so thatthe nozzle assemblies 1707 are also floating off the ground.

In one embodiment, each nozzle assembly 1707 is mounted to acorresponding one of the base assemblies 1705. For example, nozzleassembly 1707A is mounted to base assembly 1705A and nozzle assembly1707B is mounted to base assembly 1705B. Since the nozzle assemblies1707 are mounted on the base assemblies 1705, the lateral position ofthe nozzle assemblies 1707 change based on the width of the vehicle 101being washed. Thus, the distance from the nozzle assemblies 1707 to theside surfaces of the vehicle 101 being washed can be kept within apredetermined distance range that improves cleaning efficiency of theside surfaces of the vehicle compared to conventional car wash systemswith nozzle assemblies that have static positions.

Water supply lines 1717 supply water to the nozzle assemblies 1707. Eachwater supply line 1717 is connected to a corresponding one of the nozzleassemblies 1707. For example, a water supply line is connected to nozzleassembly 1707A and a water supply line is connected to nozzle assembly1707B.

In one embodiment, the plurality of collision prevention units 1709prevent the base assemblies 1705 from being positioned underneath thevehicle 101. The plurality of collision prevention units 1709 maycontact the side surface of the vehicle 101 thereby preventing the baseassemblies 1705 from further moving inward toward the center of thesecond wash stage 105. If the base assemblies 1705 were to move towardthe center of the second wash stage 105, the base assemblies 1705 may gounderneath the vehicle 101 and may damage the vehicle 101 upon contactwith the underside of the vehicle 101. Furthermore, the nozzlesassemblies 1705 may contact the side surfaces of the vehicle 101 if thebase assemblies 1705 go underneath the vehicle 101. Thus, the collisionprevention units 1709 prevent the nozzle assemblies 1705 from collidingwith the side surfaces of the vehicle 101 as further described below. Inone embodiment, the plurality of collision prevention units 1709 includestop device 1709A and stop device 1709B. Stop device 1709A is mounted tonozzle assembly 1707A whereas stop device 170B is mounted to nozzleassembly 1707B in one example.

In one embodiment, a plurality of cylinders 1713 reduce shaking of thebase assemblies 1705 during operation of the second wash stage 105. Theplurality of cylinders 1713 may also be locked in place after the widthof the second wash stage 105 is set in one embodiment. By locking thecylinders 1713, the base assemblies 1705 cannot move so as to bepositioned under the vehicle 101 when the base assemblies 1705 are nolonger in contact with the tires of the vehicle 101 as will be furtherdescribed below.

In one embodiment, the plurality of cylinders 1713 include cylinder1713A and cylinder 1713B where each cylinder 1713 is coupled to acorresponding one of the plurality of base assemblies 1705. For example,cylinder 1713B is attached to base assembly 1705B whereas cylinder 1713Ais attached to base assembly 1705. Each cylinder 1713 includes two endswith one end of the cylinder 1713 attached to the frame 1701 and anotherend of the cylinder 1713 attached to the base assembly 1705. Forexample, one end of cylinder 1713B is attached to frame rail 1701C andthe other end of the cylinder 1713B is attached to base assembly 1705B.

In one embodiment, the plurality of intermediate stop circuit lines 1711(e.g., air lines) supply air to the plurality of cylinders 1713.Suppling air to the cylinders 1713 unlocks the cylinders 1713 and allowsthe cylinders 1713 to return to their original position once vehicle 101has exited the second wash stage 105.

In one embodiment, the plurality of intermediate stop circuit lines 1711includes intermediate stop circuit line 1711A and intermediate stopcircuit line 1711B. Intermediate stop circuit line 1711A is connected tocylinder 1713A and supplies air to cylinder 1713A to unlock or lockcylinder 1713A. Similarly, intermediate stop circuit line 1711B isconnected to cylinder 1713B and supplies air to cylinder 1713B to unlockor lock cylinder 1713B.

Operation of the First Embodiment of the Second Wash Stage 105

FIGS. 18A to 18D illustrate operation of the second wash stage 105 towash side surfaces of the vehicle 101 according to one embodiment. FIG.18A illustrates the adjustment operation during the second wash stage105 operation. Generally, the second wash stage 105 has a variable widthto account for the contour of the side surfaces of the vehicle 101 whilewashing the side surfaces of the vehicle 101. During the initialadjustment operation, the width of the second wash stage 105 is adjustedaccording to the width of the vehicle 101.

As shown in FIG. 18A, the tires 1801 of the vehicle 101 contact theplurality of base assemblies 1705 as the vehicle 101 approaches thesecond wash stage 105. As the vehicle 101 moves forward due to theconveyer moving the vehicle 101 forward, the base assemblies 1705 arepushed outward away from the center of the second wash stage 105B bybeing in contact with the tires 1801 to set the width of the second washstage 105 as shown in FIG. 18B. Thus, the sides of the vehicle (e.g.,the sides of the tires) are in physical contact with the second washstage 105 to set the width of the second wash stage 105 according to thewidth of the vehicle 101.

FIG. 18B illustrates the initial wash operation of the second wash stage105 in one embodiment. Once the width of the second wash stage 105 isadjusted according to the width of the vehicle 101, the cylinders 1713are activated by the controller 109 so as to lock the length of thecylinders 1713 in place during the initial wash stage in one embodiment.By locking the cylinders 1713, the width of the second wash stage 105 isthereby locked in place. The nozzle assemblies 1707 can then beginwashing the front portion of the side surfaces (e.g., the sides of thefront fenders) of the vehicle 101. The nozzle assemblies 1707 may washthe front portion of the side surface of the vehicle 101 using wateroutput by the nozzle assemblies 1707 or a combination of water anddetergent (e.g., soap) output by the nozzle assemblies 1707. If thenozzle assemblies 1707 output only water, the second wash stage 105relies upon the detergent output by the chemical arches 401 in the firstwash stage 103 to aid in cleaning the vehicle 101.

FIG. 18C illustrates an intermediate wash operation of the second washstage 105 in one embodiment. As the vehicle 101 continues to move alongthe second wash stage 105, nozzle assemblies 1707 continue to wash theside surfaces of the vehicle 101 such as the center portion of the sidesurfaces of the vehicle (e.g., the doors) and the rear portion of theside surfaces of the vehicle (e.g., rear fenders). As shown in FIG. 18C,at one point during the second wash stage 105, the base assemblies 1705are no longer in contact with the vehicle 101 due to the length of thebase assemblies 1705 not being long enough to span the length of thewheelbase of the vehicle 101. Thus, the base assemblies 1705 are onlycapable of contacting either the front tires or the rear tires, butcannot simultaneously contact both the front tires and rear tires due tothe short length of the base assemblies 1705.

Even though the base assemblies 1705 are no longer in contact with thetires 1801 of the vehicle 101 as shown in FIG. 18C, the width of thesecond wash stage 105 is maintained due to the cylinders 1713 lockingthe width of the second wash stage 105. As mentioned previously, lockingthe cylinders 1713 prevents the base assemblies 1705 from movingunderneath the vehicle 101 during the intermediate wash operation.

Although not shown, the cylinders 1713 include a number of componentssuch as various solenoids and valves to control the lock and unlockoperation of the cylinders 1713. As mentioned above, the intermediatestop circuit lines 1711 supply air to the cylinders 1713. When thevehicle 101 has yet to contact the base assemblies 1705, theintermediate stop circuit lines 1711 do not supply air to the cylinders1713. When air is not supplied to the cylinders 1713, the cylinders 1713can expand or contract. Thus, the cylinders 1713 are unlocked.

When the vehicle 101 contacts the base assemblies 1705, the intermediatestop circuit lines 1711 supply air to cylinders 1713. The supplied airto the cylinders 1713 allows the cylinders 1713 to further contract, butdo not allow the cylinders 1713 to expand thereby locking the cylinders1713 in place. Thus, the base assemblies 1705 that are connected to thecylinders 1713 can move outward away from the vehicle 101 during thesecond wash stage 105, but cannot move inward toward the vehicle 101during the second wash stage. In other words, the cylinders 1713 arelocked thereby preventing the base assemblies 1705 from moving inward.

FIG. 18D illustrates the reset operation of the second wash stage 105 inone embodiment. After the vehicle 101 has exited the second wash stage105, the width of the second wash stage 105 is reset to its initialposition. In one embodiment, the width of the second wash stage 101 isreset by unlocking cylinders 1713. By unlocking the cylinders 1713, thebase assemblies 1705 are able to move back to their initial position. Aswill be described below with respect to FIG. 20, the base assemblies1705 may move to their initial position using gravity which causes thebase assemblies 1705 and arms 1703 to move inward toward the center ofthe second wash stage 105.

To unlock the cylinders 1713, the intermediate stop circuit lines 1711stops supplying air to the cylinders 1713. Once the cylinders 1713 areunlocked, the base assemblies 1705 return to their initial positionusing gravity and the weight of the base assemblies 1705 as describedabove. In one embodiment, the intermediate stop circuit lines 1711 stopsupplying air to the cylinders 1713 a threshold amount of time (e.g., 2seconds) after the vehicle 101 has exited the second wash stage 105thereby causing the base assemblies 1705 to return to their initialposition. Alternatively, the intermediate stop circuit lines 1711 do notsupply air to the cylinders 1713 based on a signal received from a photosensor at the entry of the car was system 100 that is different from theoptical sensor 301. The timing in which the optical sensor sends thesignal is calculated based on the speed of the conveyer 107. Based onthe speed of the conveyer 107 and the length of the car wash 100, thetime it takes for a vehicle to exit the second wash stage 105 can becalculated.

After the second wash stage 105 is completed, the vehicle 101 may bedried by one or more fans or blowers (not shown). The fans generate windthat dry the surfaces of the vehicle 101 washed by the first wash stage103 and the second wash stage 105.

Arms 1703

Generally, the arms 1703 connect the hanging base assemblies 1705 to thetop of the frame 1701. The arms 1703 may have different shapes indifferent embodiments. FIG. 19 illustrates a front view of the secondwash stage 105 to illustrate an example shape of the plurality of arms1703. As shown in FIG. 19, the arms 1703 each include at least one bendin one embodiment. By having at least one bend in each of the arms 1703,the likelihood of contact between the vehicle 101 and the arms 1703 isreduced compared to if the arms 1703 were straight (e.g., lack anybends). If the arms were straight, there is a high likelihood of contactbetween side view mirrors of the vehicle 101 and the arms 1703. The atleast one bend in each arm 1703 is located at the end of the arm that isclosest to the base assembly 1705 in one embodiment.

The example of FIG. 19 illustrates a “C” shaped arm that includes aplurality of bends (e.g., two bends) according to one embodiment. Eachof the “C” shaped arms 1703A-1703D shown in FIG. 19 includes an upperpart 1903, a center part 1905, and a lower part 1907. A first bend 1909is formed between the upper part 1903 and the center part 1905 and asecond bend 1911 is formed between the center part 1905 and the lowerpart 1907. For example, arm 1703A includes an upper part 1903A, a centerpart 1905A, and a lower part 1907A with a first bend 1909A formedbetween the upper part 1903A and the center part 1905A and a second bend1911A formed between the center part 1905A and the lower part 1907A. Arm1703B includes an upper part 1903B, a center part 1905B, and a lowerpart 1907B with a first bend 1909B formed between the upper part 1903Band the center part 1905B and a second bend 1911B formed between thecenter part 1905B and the lower part 1907B. Arm 1703C includes an upperpart 1903C, a center part 1905C, and a lower part 1907C with a firstbend 1909C formed between the upper part 1903C and the center part 1905Cand a second bend 1911C formed between the center part 1905C and thelower part 1907C. Arm 1703D includes an upper part 1903D, a center part1905D, and a lower part 1907D with a first bend 1909D formed between theupper part 1903D and the center part 1905D and a second bend 1911Dformed between the center part 1905D and the lower part 1907D.

In one embodiment, the upper part 1903 and the lower part 1907 of the“C” shaped arms are symmetrical. That is, the upper part 1903 and thelower part 1907 of the “C” shaped arms 1703 have a same length.Furthermore, the angle between the upper part 1903 and the center part1905 of the “C” shaped arms 1703 is the same as the angle between thelower part 1907 and the center part 1905 of the “C” shaped arms 1703 inone embodiment. By having upper and lower parts with the same length andthe same angle between the upper part and the center part and betweenthe lower part and center part, the ability of the “C” shaped arms 1703to return to their initial position due to the weight of the arms 1703and gravity after the vehicle 101 has left the second wash stage 105 isimproved as further described below with respect to FIGS. 20A and 20B.

FIG. 20A illustrates the orientation of an arm 1703 after the arm 1703has been pushed outward from the center of the second wash stage 105 dueto the vehicle 101 being in contact with the base assemblies 1705. Arm1703 shown in FIG. 20 may represent the arms on the right side of thesecond wash stage 105. As shown in FIG. 20A, the center part 1905 of thearm 1703 is vertical (e.g., normal to ground) while the width of thesecond wash stage 105 is adjusted for the vehicle 101. While the arm1703 is oriented such that the center part 1905 is in the verticalposition, the center of gravity of the arm 2003 is located to the rightside of the hinge point 2001 of the arm 1703. That is, the hinge point2001 is misaligned with the center of gravity 2003 of the arm 1703. Thehinge point 2001 is the part of the arm 1703 that connects to the frame1701.

FIG. 20B illustrates the orientation of the arm 1703 in its initialreset position after the vehicle 101 has left the second wash stage 105.In FIG. 20B, the arm 1703 rotates clockwise about the hinge point 2001due to gravity until the arm 1703 reaches its initial reset position. Atthe initial reset position of the arm 1703, the center of gravity 2003of the arm 1703 is aligned with the hinge point 2001 of the arm 1703 inone embodiment.

In one embodiment, weights 2005 may be placed on the “C” shaped arms toadjust the center of gravity of the arms 1703 as shown in FIGS. 20C and20D. A weight 2005 may be placed on the center part 1905 of the arm 1703as shown in FIG. 20C to adjust the center of gravity of the arm 1703.Alternatively, a weight 2005 may be placed on the upper part 1903 of thearm 1703. By changing the center of gravity of the arms 1703 usingweights 2005, the arms 1703 may more easily return to their initialreset position after the vehicle 101 leaves the second wash stage 105compared to the embodiment without the weights 2005 due to the weight2005 adding more mass to the arms 1703.

The above description of the center of gravity of the arm 1703 isapplicable to the arms positioned at the left side of the second washstage 105. However, while the arms 1703 positioned at the left side ofthe second wash stage 105 are oriented such that the center part 1905 ofthe arms are in the vertical position, the center of gravity of the arm1703 is located to the left side of the hinge point 2001 of the arm 1703rather than the right side as shown in FIG. 20A.

FIG. 21 illustrates a front view of the second wash stage 105 toillustrate another shape of the plurality of arms 1703 according to oneembodiment. In comparison to the embodiment shown in FIG. 19, the arms1703 shown in FIG. 21 each include one bend in one embodiment. By havinga single bend in each of the arms 1703, the likelihood of contactbetween the vehicle 101 and the arms 1703 is reduced compared to if thearms 1703 were straight (e.g., lack any bends) similar to the embodimentshown in FIG. 19. If the arms were straight, there is a high likelihoodof contact between side view mirrors of the vehicle 101 and the arms1703. The at least one bend in each arm 1703 is located at the end ofthe arm that is closest to the base assembly 1705.

The example of FIG. 21 illustrates an “L” shaped arm that includes asingle bend (e.g., one bend) according to one embodiment. Each of the“L” shaped arms 1703A-1703D shown in FIG. 21 includes an upper part 2101and a lower part 2103. A bend 2105 is formed between the upper part 2101and the lower part 2103. For example, arm 1703A includes an upper part2101A and a lower part 2103A with a bend 2105A formed between the upperpart 2101A and the lower part 2103A. Arm 1703B includes an upper part2101B and a lower part 2103B with a bend 2105B formed between the upperpart 2101B and the lower part 2103B. Arm 1703C includes an upper part2101C and a lower part 2103C with a bend 2105C formed between the upperpart 2101C and the lower part 2103C. Arm 1703D includes an upper part2101D and a lower part 2103D with a bend 2105D formed between the upperpart 2101D and the lower part 2103D.

FIG. 22A illustrates a side view of the arms 1703C and 1703D positionedat the right side of the second wash stage 105 according to oneembodiment. Although FIG. 22A does not show arms 1703A and 1703Bpositioned at the left side of the second wash stage 105, thedescription of FIG. 22A is also applicable to arms 1703A and 1703B.

As shown in FIG. 22A, the hinge points 2001 of arms 1703C and 1703D areattached to the mounting plate 1701D of frame 1701. In one embodiment,the hinge points 2001 are separated by a threshold distance “E”. Thethreshold distance “E” is 20.9 inches according to one embodiment. Ifthe hinge points 2001 are separated by a distance less than thethreshold distance “E”, the arms 1703 and base assemblies 1705 shakeupon the initial impact between the tires 1801 and the base assemblies1705. By separating the hinge points 2001 of the arms 1703 by thethreshold distance “E,” shaking of the arms 1703 and base assemblies1705 are reduced.

FIG. 22A also illustrates the path of motion 2201 of the base assemblies1705 as the base assemblies 1705 are repositioned in accordance with thewidth of the vehicle 101. The path of motion 2201 is not in a straightline such as the horizontal direction. Rather, the path of motion 2201of the base assemblies 1705 is in an arc (e.g., crescent shape) giventhat each arm 1703 is attached to the mounting plate 1701D by a singlehinge point 2001. During the movement in the path of motion 2201, thenozzles of the water assemblies 1707 remain substantially flat to ensureoptimum washing efficiency.

FIG. 22B is a force diagram describing the forces applied to the baseassembly 1705 to adjust the width of the second wash stage 105 accordingto one embodiment. A plan view of a portion of the base assembly 1705 isshown. Vector 2203 represents the direction and force applied by thetire 1801 on the vehicle entry guide of the base assembly 1705(described below). Vector 2211 represents the reaction force in the leftdirection in response to the force applied by the tire 1801 and vector2209 is the reaction force opposite the vector 2201. The sum of thevectors 2203, 2209, and 2211 results in vector 2201 that represents thepath of motion of the base assembly 1705.

The vehicle entry guide of the base assembly 1705 is set at an angle2207 with respect to the reference line 2205. In one embodiment theangle is 45 degrees, but other angles may be used. If the 45-degreeangle is used, the direction of the arm rotation along the path ofmotion 2201 is formed in a 90-degree direction with the vehicle entryguide 1705. In general, as the angle of the vehicle entry guideincreases, the amount of travel along the path of motion 2201 increasesas well as the force applied to the arms 1703.

Base Assemblies 1705

FIGS. 23A and 23B illustrate detailed views of the components of baseassemblies 1705A and 1705B, respectively, according to one embodiment.The base assembly 1705A includes a base structure 2301A, a vehicle entryguide 2302A, impact part 2303A, impact part 2304A, bearings 2305A, andcylinder bracket 2305A in one embodiment. Similarly, base assembly 1705Bincludes a base structure 2301B, a vehicle entry guide 2302B, impactpart 2303B, impact part 2304B, bearings 2305B, and cylinder bracket2305B in one embodiment.

The base structure 2301 functions as the frame of the base assembly 1705to support the components of the base assembly 1705. The vehicle entryguide 2302, bearings 2305, cylinder bracket 2305, water assembly 1707,and impact part 2302A all attach to the base structure 2301 in onembodiment. The base structure 2301 is rectangular in shape and may bemade of metal such as aluminum, but other shapes and materials may beused.

Impact part 2303 is attached to the base structure 2301. The impact part2303 may be attached to an edge of the base structure 2301 usingfasteners such as screws or nuts and bolts. The impact part 2303 isconfigured to protect the base structure 2301 from damage while thetires 1801 of the vehicle 101 are in contact with the base assembly1705. Since the impact part 2303 is in contact with the tires, theimpact part 2303 must also not impede the travel of the vehicle 101through the second wash stage 105. Thus, the impact part 2303 is made ofa material strong enough to protect the base structure 2301 while havinglow friction to allow the tires to smoothly glide along the impact part2303. In one embodiment, the impact part 2303 is made of plastic such aspolyethylene, but other materials may be used.

The vehicle entry guide 2302 guides the vehicle 101 into the second washstage 105. As mentioned previously, the vehicle entry guide 2302 isangled such as at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to reference line2205. The vehicle entry guide 2302 impacts the tires 1801 of the vehicle101 to adjust the width of the second wash stage 105. The vehicle entryguide 2302 is triangular in shape and may be made of metal such asaluminum, but other shapes and materials may be used.

Impact part 2304 is attached to the vehicle entry guide 2302. The impactpart 2304 may be attached to an edge of the vehicle entry guide 2302using fasteners such as screws or nuts and bolts. The impact part 2304is configured to protect the vehicle entry guide 2302 from damage whilethe tires 1801 of the vehicle 101 are in contact with the vehicle entryguide 2302. Since the impact part 2304 is in contact with the tires, theimpact part 2304 must also not impede the travel of the vehicle 101through the second wash stage 105. Thus, the impact part 2304 is made ofa material strong enough to protect the vehicle entry guide 2302 whilehaving low friction to allow the tires to smoothly glide along theimpact part 2304. In one embodiment, the impact part 2304 is made ofplastic such as polyethylene, but other materials may be used.

In one embodiment, bearings 2305 are hinge points of the base assemblies1705. Each bearing 2305 is configured to attach to an end of acorresponding one of the plurality of arms 1703 as shown in FIG. 23C.The bearings 2305 allow for the base assemblies 1705 to hang from thearms 1703 resulting in the base assemblies 1705 floating off the ground.The bearings 2305 also allow for the rotation of the base assembly 1705as the base assembly 1705 travels along the path of motion 2201. Thebearings 2305 may be stainless steel bearings, but other materials maybe used for the bearings in other embodiments.

Referring back to FIGS. 23A and 23B, bearings 2305 attach to a topsurface of the base structure 2301 in one embodiment. Each bearing 2305may be attached to the top surface of the base structure 2301 usingfasteners such as screws or nuts and bolts. As shown in FIG. 23, a pairof bearings is attached at one end of the base structure 2301 (e.g., atthe corner) and another pair of bearings is attached at another end ofthe base structure 2301.

FIGS. 24A and 24B illustrate plan views of the base assembly 1705A andbase assembly 1705B, respectively, according to one embodiment.Specifically, FIGS. 24A and 24B respectively illustrate hinge points2401A and 2403A of base assembly 1705A and hinge points 2401B and 2403Bof base assembly 1705B. Hinge points 2401 are representative of thelocation of the pair of bearings 2305 positioned at the top end of thebase structure 2301 and hinge points 2403 are representative of thelocation of the pair of bearings 2305 positioned at the bottom end ofthe base structure 2301 in one embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 24A and 24B, the hinge points 2401 and 2403 aremisaligned in one embodiment. That is, the hinge points 2401 and 2403are misaligned in both the horizontal and vertical directions. Due tothe misalignment, hinge points 2401 and 2403 are offset from each otherin both the horizontal and vertical directions.

In one embodiment, the hinge points 2401 and 2403 are angled withrespect to an edge of the base assembly 1705. For example, hinge point2401A and 2403A are angled with respect to the edge 2405A at an angle of45 degrees in one embodiment, but other angles may be used. Similarly,hinge point 2401B and 2403B are angled with respect to the edge 2405B atan angle of 45 degrees in one embodiment. Angling the hinge points 2401and 2403 mitigates the impact of the vehicle 101 upon entry and reducestilting of the base assembly 1705 during the width adjustment of thesecond wash stage 105.

In one embodiment, the distance 2407 between center points of hingepoint 2401 and 2403 is a threshold distance such as 20.9 inches. If thedistance between the center points of hinge point 2401 and 2403 is lessthan the threshold distance, the base assembly 1705 shakes upon impactwith the tires 1801 of the vehicle 101. Having the hinge points 2401 and2403 separated by the threshold distance reduces shaking upon impactbetween the base assembly 1705 and the tires 1801.

Referring back to FIGS. 23A and 23B, the cylinder bracket 2305 isattached to the top surface of the base structure 2301 in oneembodiment. The cylinder bracket 2305 may be attached to the top surfaceof the base structure 2301 using fasteners such as screws or nuts andbolts. The cylinder bracket 2305 may be positioned between the pairs ofbearings 2305 as shown in FIG. 23. For example, the cylinder bracket2305 is positioned between the pair of bearings at one end of the basestructure 2301 and the pair of bearings 2305 at the other end of thebase structure 2301. The cylinder bracket 2305 is configured to attachone end of cylinder 1713 to the top surface of the base structure 2301in one embodiment as shown in FIG. 23C.

FIG. 25 illustrates a plan view of the second wash stage 105 toillustrate the angles of the base assembly 1705 and the cylinders 1713according to one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 25, cylinder 1713A formsan angle 2502A with respect to reference 2501A and cylinder 1713B formsan angle 2502B with respect to reference 2501B. Reference 2501A andreference 2501B are in in the direction of entry of the vehicle 101. Inone embodiment, the angles formed between the cylinders 1713 and theirrespective reference 2501 is 45 degrees. Using the 45-degree anglemitigates the impact of the vehicle's entry with the base assemblies1705. Furthermore, as mentioned previously, the angles 2503 (e.g., 2503Aand 2503B) formed between the base assembly 1705 with reference line2205 is also 45 degrees. Thus, the sum of the angles of the cylinders1703 and the base assemblies 1715 is 90 degrees according to oneembodiment. However, other embodiments may have a different sum ofangles.

Nozzle Assemblies 1707

FIGS. 26A and 26B illustrate a detailed view of the nozzle assemblies1707 included in the second wash stage 105 according to one embodiment.Nozzle assemblies 1707 are examples of the wash unit of the second washstage 105. As mentioned previously, the nozzle assemblies 1707 include anozzle assembly 1707A configured to wash the side surface of the driverside of the vehicle 101 and a nozzle assembly 1707B configured to washthe side surface of the passenger side of the vehicle 101 according toone embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 26A, the nozzle assemblies 1707A include a supportstructure 2605A, a water manifold 2601A, a plurality of water nozzles2602A, 2603A, and a plurality of fasteners 2604A according to oneembodiment. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 26B, the nozzle assemblies 1707Binclude a post structure 2605B, a water manifold 2601B, a plurality ofwater nozzles 2602B, 2603B, and a plurality of fasteners 2604B accordingto one embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 26A and 26B, the passenger anddriver side nozzle assemblies include the same types of components inone embodiment. However, the driver and passenger side nozzle assembliesmay include different components from each other in other embodiments.

In one embodiment, the water manifolds 2601 are chambers that supplywater used to wash the side surfaces of the vehicle 101. For example,the water manifold 2601A houses water used to wash the driver side ofthe vehicle 101 and the water manifold 2601B houses water used to washthe passenger side of the vehicle 101. Each water manifold 2601 may be apipe that includes an inlet (e.g., 2606A, 2606B) that is connected to awater supply that supplies water to the water manifold 2601 for washingthe vehicle 101. Each water manifold 2601 may be made of stainless steeland have a diameter of 1.1 inches and a length of 69 inches for example.However, other dimensions and materials may be used for the watermanifold 2601.

In one embodiment, the water manifolds 2601 include outlet ports thatare each connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of waternozzles 2602 and 2603. As shown in FIG. 26, the water nozzles 2602 and2603 are disposed across the length of the water manifolds 2601. Thewater nozzles 2602 and 2603 may be spaced apart from each other at equaldistances in one embodiment.

Generally, the water nozzles 2602 and 2603 spray water housed within thewater manifolds 2601 onto the side surfaces of the vehicle 101 to washthe vehicle 101. To improve wash performance, the water nozzles 2602 and2603 are kept within a predetermined distance range of the side surfacesof the vehicle 101. The water nozzles 2601 and 2603 are capable of beingkept within the predetermined distance range of the side surfaces of thevehicle 101 due to the second wash stage 105 adjusting its widthaccording to the width of the vehicle 101, as described above. In oneembodiment, the distance between the side surface of the vehicle 101 andthe tips (e.g., the ends) of the water nozzles 2602 and 2603 is in arange between 10 inches to 15 inches. However, other distances rangesmay be used in other examples.

In one embodiment, water nozzles 2602 and water nozzles 2603 areconfigured to clean different parts of the side surface of the vehicle101. For example, water nozzles 2603 are configured to wash the sidemirror 2604 of the vehicle 101 whereas the water nozzles 2602 areconfigured to wash remaining side surfaces of the vehicle 101 such asthe side of the front bumper, the front fenders, doors, the rearfenders, and the side of the rear bumper.

Given that the side mirror 2604 protrudes farther from the vehicle 101than the side surfaces of the vehicle, the length of the water nozzles2603 is different from the length of the water nozzles 2602. In oneembodiment, the length of the water nozzles 2603 used for washing theside mirror 2604 is shorter than the length of the water nozzles 2602 toprovide clearance between the water nozzles 2603 and the side mirror2604. Otherwise, the water nozzles 2603 may impact the side mirror 2604causing damage to the vehicle 101 and the water nozzles 2603.

In one embodiment, water nozzles 2603 are configured to spray water atan angle 2606 with respect to reference line 2605 to increase washperformance of the side mirror 2604. By spraying water at the angle2606, the water nozzles 2603 are capable of cleaning the inside portionof the side mirror 2604. In one embodiment, the angle 2606 of the waternozzles 2603 used to wash the side mirror 2604 is 45-degrees. However,other angles may be used. In general, as the angle 2606 increases, thewater injection distance increases and if the angle 2606 decreases,cleaning performance of the side mirror 2604 decreases.

In one embodiment, water nozzles 2602 and 2603 spray water such that thewater temperature at the surface of the vehicle 101 is at a thresholdtemperature to improve wash performance. For example, the temperature ofwater sprayed by nozzles 2602 and 2603 is between 110 to 140 degreesFahrenheit (F). In other embodiments, the temperature of water sprayedby nozzles 2602 and 2603 is at least 140 degrees F. The watertemperatures at the surface of the vehicle 101 is based on variousfactors such as the water temperature prior to being sprayed by thewater nozzles 2602 and 2603, the nozzle diameter, and angle in which thewater is sprayed (i.e., spray injection angle).

In one embodiment, the support structure 2605 is a structure thatsupports a water manifold 2601. For example, support structure 2605Asupports water manifold 2601A and support structure 2605B supports watermanifold 2601B. The support structure 2605 may be mounted to the groundin one embodiment to prevent the support structure 2605 from falling. Inone embodiment, the support structure 2605 may be rectangular in shapeas shown in FIGS. 26A and 26B and may be made of metal such as aluminum,for example. However, other shapes and materials may be used for thesupport structure.

The plurality of fasteners 2607 fasten the water manifold 2601 to thesupport structure 2605. For example, fasteners 2607A fasten watermanifold 2601A to support structure 2605A and fasteners 2607B fastenwater manifold 2601B to support structure 2605A. As shown in FIG. 26,the water manifold 2601 may be fastened to the support structure 2605 atmultiple locations across the length of the water manifold 2601 toensure that the water manifold 2601 is properly secured.

In one embodiment, each fastener 2607 is a clamp type fastener thatwraps around the manifold 2601. The fastener 2607 may have a hole in acenter of the fastener 2607 and the water manifold 2601 is disposedwithin the hole. The fastener 2607 may be then fastened to the supportstructure 2605 using other types of fasteners such as screws and/or nutsand bolts thereby securing the water manifold 2601 to the supportstructure 2605.

Collision Prevention Unit 1709

FIG. 27A illustrates a detailed view of a collision prevention unit 1709according to one embodiment. The collision prevention unit 1709 includesa frame 2701 and a contact wheel 2704 in one embodiment. The collisionprevention unit 1709 may have different components in other embodiments.

The frame 2701 includes a mounting plate 2703C. The mounting plate 2703Cis used to mount the collision prevention unit 1109 to the supportstructure 2605 of the nozzle assemblies 1707 in one embodiment as shownin FIG. 17.

Referring back to FIG. 27A, the frame 2701 also includes extenders 2703Aand 2703B. The extenders 2703 have first ends connected to the mountingplate 2703C. The second ends of the extenders 2703 are separated fromeach other to form a recess between the second ends of the extenders2703. As shown in FIG. 27A, the extenders have a “L” shape in oneembodiment.

The contact wheel 2704 is configured to contact the side surface of thevehicle 101 to prevent the water nozzles 2602 from being damaged as willbe further described below. The contact wheel 2704 is configured torotate across the surface of the vehicle 101 if the contact wheel 2704contacts the side surface of the vehicle. To reduce damage to thesurface of the vehicle 101 upon contact and as the contact wheel 2704rolls on the side surface of the vehicle, the contact wheel 2704 is madeof an elastic material such as rubber, for example. However, othermaterials may be used. As further described below, the contact wheel2704 is constructed so that the water nozzles 2602 are not damaged dueto contact with the side surfaces of the vehicle 101.

As shown in FIG. 27A, the contact wheel 2704 is disposed in the recessformed between the second ends of the extenders 2703. The contact wheel2704 may be secured to the second extenders 2705 using a pin 2705 thatis disposed between the second ends of the extenders 2703. The contactwheel 2704 rotates around the pin 2705.

FIGS. 27B and 27C illustrate operation of the collision prevention units1709 in one embodiment. As mentioned previously, collision preventionunits 1709 prevent the water nozzles 2602 from contacting the sidesurface of the vehicle 101. FIG. 27B illustrates the initial washoperation of the second wash stage 105. As described previously, duringthe initial wash operation, the base assembly 1705 is in contact withthe tire 1801 of the vehicle. Since the base assembly 1705 is in contactwith the tire, the base assembly 1705 cannot move underneath the vehicle101. Accordingly, the water nozzles 2602 cannot contact the side surfaceof the vehicle 101.

FIG. 27C illustrates the wash operation of the second wash stage 105where the base assembly 1705 is no longer in contact with the tire 1801.Typically, the cylinder 1713 would lock thereby preventing the baseassembly 1705 from moving inward toward the center of the second washstage 105. However, in the example shown in FIG. 27C, the cylinder 1713has a malfunction resulting in failure of the lock operation thatresulted in the base assembly 1705 going underneath the vehicle 101.

As shown in FIG. 27C, the collision prevention unit 1709 is in contactwith the side surface of the vehicle 101 when the base assembly 1705 isunderneath the vehicle 101 thereby preventing the base assembly 1705from further moving inward toward the center of the second wash stage105. If the base assemblies 1705 were to move further toward the centerof the second wash stage 105, the water nozzles 2602 would contact theside surface of the vehicle 101 thereby damaging the vehicle 101 and thewater nozzles 2602. However, given that the collision prevention unit1709 is longer than the water nozzles 2602 and contacts the side surfaceof the vehicle 101 before the water nozzles 2602, a distance 2705 ismaintained between the end of the nozzles 2602 and the side surface ofthe vehicle 101.

Overview of a Second Embodiment of the Second Wash Stage 105

Referring to FIG. 28, a perspective view of the second wash stage 105 ofthe car wash system 100 is shown according to a second embodiment. Thesecond embodiment of the second wash stage 105 is similar to the firstembodiment of the second wash stage 105 described with respect to FIG.17. In the second embodiment of the second wash stage 105, the secondwash stage 105 includes a frame 1701, a plurality of arms 1703, aplurality of nozzle assemblies 1707, intermediate stop circuit lines1711, and cylinders 1713 similar to the first embodiment of the secondwash stage 105 described above. Thus, the description of the commoncomponents between the first embodiment and the second embodiment of thesecond wash stage 105 are omitted.

The second embodiment of the second wash stage 105 includes baseassemblies 2801. Base assemblies 2801 include a driver side baseassembly 2801A positioned at the left side of the second wash stage 105and a passenger side base assembly 2801B positioned at the right side ofthe second wash stage 105 in one embodiment. Similar to base assemblies1705 in FIG. 17, base assemblies 2801 in FIG. 27 according to the secondembodiment adjust the width of the second wash stage 105. However, thebase assemblies 2801 in FIG. 27 have a length that is longer than thebase assemblies 1705 of the first embodiment of the second wash stage105 in FIG. 17. For example, the length of the base assemblies 2801according to the second embodiment is 163 inches whereas the length ofthe base assemblies 1705 according to the first embodiment is 79 inches.Thus, the length of the base assemblies 2801 is roughly double thelength of the base assemblies 1705.

The longer length of the base assemblies 2801 allows for the baseassemblies 2801 to remain in contact with the tires 1801 of the vehicle101 during the entire duration of the second wash stage 105. Thus, inone embodiment the second embodiment of the second wash stage 105 lacksa collision prevention unit 1709 as the base assemblies 2801 prevent thewater nozzles of the water assemblies 2801 from impacting the sidesurface of the vehicle 101 during the duration of the second wash stage105. However, the second embodiment of the second wash stage may stillinclude an collision prevention unit 1709 in other embodiments.

Furthermore, although the second embodiment of the second wash stage 105includes cylinders 1713, the cylinders 1713 may lack a lockfunctionality. The cylinders 1713 may be used to dampen the vibration ofthe vehicle 101 upon impact with the base assemblies 2801. However, thecylinders 1713 lack the lock functionality as there is no need to lockthe width of the second wash stage 105 because the base assemblies 2801are in contact with the tires 1801 of the vehicle 101 during theduration of the second wash stage 105 thereby providing such lockingfunction instead.

Operation of the Second Embodiment of the Second Wash Stage 105

FIGS. 29A to 29C illustrate operation of the second embodiment of thesecond wash stage 105 to wash side surfaces of the vehicle 101. FIG. 29Aillustrates the adjustment operation during the second wash stage 105operation. During the adjustment operation, the width of the second washstage 105 is adjusted according to the width of the vehicle 101 in oneembodiment. As shown in FIG. 29A, the front tires 1801 of the vehicle101 contact the plurality of base assemblies 2801 as the vehicle 101approaches the second wash stage 105. As the vehicle 101 moves forwarddue the conveyer, the base assemblies 2801 are pushed outward away fromthe center of the second wash stage 105B by being in contact with thefront tires 1801 to set the width of the second wash stage 105 as shownin FIG. 29A.

FIG. 29B illustrates the wash operation of the second wash stage 105 inone embodiment. Once the width of the second wash stage 105 is adjustedaccording to the width of the vehicle 101, the nozzle assemblies 1707can begin washing the side surfaces of the vehicle 101. The nozzleassemblies 1707 may wash the front portion (front fenders), centerportion (e.g., doors), and rear portion (e.g., rear fenders) of the sidesurface of the vehicle 101 using water output by the nozzle assemblies1707 or a combination of water and chemical (e.g., soap) output by thenozzle assemblies 1707. If the nozzle assemblies 1707 output only water,the second wash stage 105 relies upon the chemical output by thechemical arches in the first wash stage 103 to aid in cleaning thevehicle 101.

As shown in FIG. 29B, the base assemblies 2801 are in simultaneouscontact with both the front tires 1801A and the rear tires 1801B whilewashing the center portion of the vehicle 101. During the wash operationof the second embodiment of the second wash stage 105, the baseassemblies 2801B are in contact with at least one of the front tires1801A or rear tires 1801B due to the length of the base assemblies2801B. Thus, the width of the second wash stage 105 is maintained duringthe operation of the second wash stage 105. Accordingly, the secondembodiment of the second wash stage 105 does not require a lock functionof the cylinders 1713 due to the base assemblies 2801 always being incontact with at least one of the front tires 1801A or rear tires 1801Bor both, to maintain the adjusted width of the second wash stage 105. Incontrast, the first embodiment of the base assemblies 1705 are not incontact with any of the tires 1801 of the vehicle during at least aportion of the second wash operation and thus requires the lock functionof the cylinders 1713 to maintain the width of the second wash stage105. Thus, operation of the cylinders 1713 is similar to the firstembodiment of the second wash stage 105 described above except for thelack of needing to lock cylinders 1713.

FIG. 29C illustrates the reset operation of the second embodiment of thesecond wash stage 105. After the vehicle 101 has exited the second washstage 105, the width of the second wash stage 105 is reset to itsinitial position. In one embodiment, the width of the second wash stage105 is reset using gravity and the weight of the base assemblies 2801and arms 1703. Gravity causes the base assemblies 2801 to move back totheir initial position in one embodiment. After the second wash stage105 is completed, the vehicle 101 may be dried by one or more fans orblowers (not shown). The fans generate wind that dry the surfaces of thevehicle 101 washed by the first wash stage 101 and the second wash stage105.

Base Assemblies 2801

FIGS. 30A and 30B respectively illustrate detailed views of thecomponents of base assemblies 2801A and 2801B according to oneembodiment. The base assembly 2801A includes a base structure 30001A, avehicle entry guide 3002A, impact part 3003A, impact part 3004A,bearings 3005A, and cylinder bracket 3005A in one embodiment. Similarly,base assembly 2801B includes a base structure 3001B, a vehicle entryguide 3002B, impact part 3003B, impact part 3004B, bearings 3005B, andcylinder bracket 3005B in one embodiment.

The functions performed by the base structure 3001, the vehicle entryguide 3002, the impact part 3003, impact part 3004, bearings 3005, andthe cylinder bracket 3005 are similar to the functions performed by thebase structure 2301, the vehicle entry guide 2302, impact part 2303A,impact part 2304, bearings 2305, and cylinder bracket 2305 as describedabove. Thus, the detailed description of the components of the baseassemblies 2801A and 2801B are omitted as the detailed description ofthe components of the base assemblies 1705A and 1705B are applicable tothe components of the base assemblies 2801A and 2801B.

Due to the increased length of the base assemblies 2801A and 2801Bcompared to base assemblies 1705A and 1705B, the bearings 3005 are notpositioned at the ends of the base structures 3001 as in the firstembodiment of the base assemblies 1705. Rather, the bearings 3005 arepositioned closer to the center of the base structure 2301 as shown inFIG. 30.

FIGS. 31A and 31B respectively illustrate plan views of the baseassembly 2801A and base assembly 2801B according to one embodiment.Specifically, FIGS. 31A and 31B respectively illustrate hinge points3101A and 3103A of base assembly 2801A and hinge points 3101B and 3103Bof base assembly 2801B. Hinge points 3101 are representative of theupper pair of bearings 3005 and hinge points 3103 are representative ofthe lower pair of bearings 3005 positioned in one embodiment. Due to thelonger length of the base assemblies 2801, each base assembly 2801includes two or more hinge points 3103 in one embodiment. Having atleast two hinge points 3103 prevents the base assemblies 2801 fromsagging.

As shown in FIGS. 31A and 31B, the hinge points 3101 and 3103 aremisaligned in one embodiment. That is, the hinge points 3101 and 3103are misaligned in both the horizontal and vertical directions. Due tothe misalignment, hinge points 3101 and 3103 are offset from each otherin both the horizontal and vertical directions.

In one embodiment, the hinge points 3101 and 3103 are angled withrespect to an edge of the base assembly 3105. For example, hinge point3101A and 3103A are angled with respect to the edge 3105A at an angle of45 degrees in one embodiment, but other angles may be used. Similarly,hinge point 3101B and 3103B are angled with respect to the edge 3105B atan angle of 45 degrees in one embodiment. Angling the hinge points 3101and 3103 mitigates the impact of the vehicle 101 upon entry and reducestilting of the base assembly 2801. In one embodiment, the distance 3102(e.g., 3102A and 3102B) between center points of hinge point 3101 and3103 is a threshold distance such as at least 20.9 inches. However,other distances may be used. If the distance between the center pointsof hinge point 3101 and 3103 is less than the threshold distance, thebase assembly 2801 shakes upon impact with the tires 1801 of the vehicle101. Having the hinge points 3101 and 3103 separated by the thresholddistance reduces shaking upon impact between the base assembly 2801 andthe tires 1801.

Controller 109

In one embodiment, the controller 109 independently controls the firstwash stage 103 and the second wash stage 105 to wash the vehicle 101.FIG. 32 illustrates a detailed view of the controller 109 according toone embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 32, the controller 109 includes a first wash stagemodule 3201 and a second wash stage module 3203 in one embodiment.Generally, the first wash stage module 3201 controls operation of thefirst wash stage 103 to wash the front, top, and rear surfaces of thevehicle 101. In contrast, the second wash stage module 3203 controlsoperation of the second wash stage 105 to wash the side surfaces of thevehicle 101. The control of the first wash stage 101 and the second washstage 102 by the first wash stage module 3201 and the second wash stage3203, respectively, are separate and independent from each other. Thecontroller 109 may include other modules than those shown in FIG. 32 inother embodiments.

The first wash stage module 3201 includes a contour profile module 3205,a water module 3209, and an adjustment module 3211 according to oneembodiment. However, the first wash stage module 3201 may include othermodules in other embodiments.

The contour profile module 3205 determines the contour profile for eachvehicle 101 that is washed by the first wash stage 101. As mentionedpreviously, the contour profile of a vehicle 101 includes a plurality ofheight points of the vehicle 101 that are measured along the length ofthe vehicle 101 using the optical sensor 301. The contour profile module3205 determines the contour of the vehicle 101 based on sensing datareceived from the optical sensor 301. The sensing data is received fromthe optical sensor 301 and the contour profile module 3205 determinesthe height points along the length of the vehicle 101 based on thesensing data to generate the contour profile for the vehicle 101.

Water module 3209 controls the operation of the wash unit 306 in oneembodiment. The water module 3209 interdependently controls when toactivate (e.g., turn on) or deactivate (e.g., turn off) the nozzles 1305on the front manifold 306A and when to activate or deactivate thenozzles 1307 on the rear manifold 306B in one embodiment.

For example, the water module 3209 interdependently controls theoperation of the nozzles 1305 and 1307 by turning on the nozzles 1305 onthe front manifold 306A after a predetermined amount of time from whenthe vehicle 101 first crosses the optical sensor 301, and determineswhen to turn off the nozzles 1305 on the front manifold 306A and turn onthe nozzles 1307 on the rear manifold 306A according to the contourprofile of each vehicle 101 being washed by the front wash stage 103.The water module 3209 can determine the timing of the turn on and turnoff operation of the nozzles 1305 and 1307 based on when the rearsurface of the vehicle needs to be washed according to the contourprofile and accordingly turns off the nozzles 1305 on the front manifold306A and turns on the nozzles 1307 on the rear manifold 306A.

The adjustment module 3211 adjusts the position of the telescoping unit304 according to the contour profile of the vehicle 101. For each heightpoint included in the contour profile of a vehicle, the adjustmentmodule 3211 provides a signal to the motor 305 that indicates how muchrotation of the motor 305 is required to raise or lower the telescopingunit 304 based on the height. In one embodiment, a lookup table isstored in memory that maps different heights to an amount of verticalmovement of the telescoping unit 304 that is needed to achieve thedesired height. The amount of vertical movement is translated into apredetermined number of turns of the motor 304 that is required toachieve the desired height.

The second wash stage module 3203 includes a water module 3215 and alock module 3219 according to one embodiment. However, the second washstage module 3203 may include different modules than shown in FIG. 32 inother embodiments.

Water module 3215 controls the operation of the nozzle assemblies washunit 1707 in one embodiment. The water module 3215 controls when toactivate (e.g., turn on) or deactivate (e.g., turn off) the nozzles2602, 2603 included in the wash unit 1707.

The water module 3215 may turn on the nozzles 2602, 2603 responsive todetermining the width of the second wash stage 105 changing due to thevehicle 101 impacting the base assembly 1705, 2801 in one example. Thewater module 3215 may subsequently turn off the nozzles 2602, 2603 afterdetecting that the width of the second wash stag 105 is reset to itsinitial position.

In one embodiment, an angle sensor may be mounted on the arms 1703 ofthe second wash stage 105. The water module 3215 may receive a signalfrom the angle sensor indicative of the angle of the arms 1703. Based onthe signal, the water module 3215 may determine the change of the widthof the second wash stage 105 when the angle of the arms 1703 changes.Accordingly, the water module 3215 may turn on the nozzles 2602, 2603upon detection that the width of the second wash stage 105 is changedfrom its initial position and may turn off the nozzles 2602, 2603 upondetection that the width of the second wash stage is returned back toits initial position.

The lock module 3219 is configured to lock the length of the cylinders1713 to hold the width of the second wash stage 105. The lock module3219 may receive a signal from the angle sensor that is mounted on thearms 1703 of the second wash stage 105. The lock module 3219 monitorsthe angle of the arms 1703 to determine that the arms 1703 are at aconstant angle that is greater than the angle that corresponds to theinitial position of arms 1703 for a threshold amount of time (e.g., 2seconds). The angle of the arms 1703 being constant for the thresholdamount of time signifies that the width of the second wash stage 105 isset and thereby locks the cylinders 1713.

In one embodiment, the lock module 3219 is configured to unlock thecylinders 1713 responsive to determining that the vehicle 101 has exitedthe second wash stage 105. The lock module 3219 may determine when tounlock the cylinders 1713 due to knowing the position of the conveyer107 and thereby the position of the vehicle 101 at all times.

Although a single controller 109 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 32, thefunctionality of the controller described herein may be divided amongany number of controllers. For example, the car wash 100 may include acontroller including the first wash stage module 3201 and a separate,independent controller that includes the second wash stage module 3203.Alternatively, the controller 109 may be a single controller. Thus, theembodiments herein may use a single controller or multiple controllersto control the first wash stage 103 and the second wash stage 105.

Computer Hardware Components

FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating a computer system 3300 upon whichembodiments described herein may be implemented within the car washsystem 100. For example, in the context of FIG. 1, the controller 109may be implemented using a computer system such as described by FIG. 33.The controller 109 may also be implemented using a combination ofmultiple computer systems as described by FIG. 33.

In one implementation, the controller 109 includes processing resources3301, main memory 3303, read only memory (ROM) 3305, storage device3307, and a communication interface 3309. The controller 109 includes atleast one processor 3301 for processing information and a main memory303, such as a random-access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storagedevice, for storing information and instructions to be executed by theprocessor 3301. Main memory 3303 also may be used for storing temporaryvariables or other intermediate information during execution ofinstructions to be executed by processor 3301. Controller 109 may alsoinclude ROM 3305 or other static storage device for storing staticinformation and instructions for processor 801. The storage device 3307,such as a magnetic disk or optical disk or solid-state memory device, isprovided for storing information and instructions. In one embodiment,the contour profiles of vehicles 101 are stored in one of the mainmemory 3303, ROM 3305, or the storage device 3307 or a combinationthereof.

The communication interface 3309 can enable the controller 109 tocommunicate with other computer systems through use of a communicationlink (wireless or wireline). The controller 109 can optionally include adisplay device 3311, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), an LCD monitor,an LED monitor, a TFT display or a television set, for example, fordisplaying graphics and information to a user. An input mechanism 3313,such as a keyboard that includes alphanumeric keys and other keys, canoptionally be coupled to the computer system 3300 for communicatinginformation and command selections to processor 3301. Othernon-limiting, illustrative examples of input mechanisms 3313 include amouse, a trackball, touch-sensitive screen, or cursor direction keys forcommunicating direction information and command selections to processor3301 and for controlling cursor movement on display device 811.

Examples described herein are related to the use of the controller 109for implementing the techniques described herein. According to oneembodiment, those techniques are performed by the controller 109 inresponse to processor 3301 executing one or more sequences of one ormore instructions contained in main memory 3303. Such instructions maybe read into main memory 3303 from another machine-readable medium, suchas storage device 3307. Execution of the sequences of instructionscontained in main memory 3303 causes processor 3301 to perform theprocess steps described herein. In alternative implementations,hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination withsoftware instructions to implement examples described herein. Thevarious modules shown in FIG. 32 may be software modules stored in oneof the main memory 3303, ROM 3305, or the storage device 3307 or acombination thereof for execution by the processor 3301, may be hardwaremodules, or may be a combination of hardware and software. Thus, theexamples described are not limited to any specific combination ofhardware circuitry and software.

Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or to “an embodiment”means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic isincluded in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. The appearancesof the phrase “in one embodiment” or “a preferred embodiment” in variousplaces in the specification are not necessarily referring to the sameembodiment.

In the present disclosure terms such as “first,” “second,” “A,” “B″” baybe used herein to describe elements of the present invention. Each ofthese terms is not used to define essence, order, sequence, or number ofelements etc., but is used merely to distinguish the correspondingelement from other elements. For example, the telescoping unit 304includes a plurality of rail stages 801 where the rail stages includerail stage 801A, 801B, 801C, and 801D.

Certain aspects disclosed herein include process steps and instructionsdescribed herein in the form of a method. It should be noted that theprocess steps and instructions described herein can be embodied insoftware, firmware or hardware, and when embodied in software, can bedownloaded to reside on and be operated from different platforms used bya variety of operating systems. Furthermore, it has also provenconvenient at times, to refer to arrangements of operations as modules,without loss of generality. The described operations and theirassociated modules may be embodied in software, firmware, hardware, orany combinations thereof.

The embodiments discussed above also relates to an apparatus forperforming the operations herein. This apparatus may be speciallyconstructed for the required purposes, or it may comprise ageneral-purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by acomputer program stored in the computer. Such a computer program may bestored in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, such as,but is not limited to, any type of disk including floppy disks, opticaldisks, CD-ROMs, magnetic-optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs),random access memories (RAMs), EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic or opticalcards, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or any type ofmedia suitable for storing electronic instructions, and each coupled toa computer system bus. Furthermore, the computers referred to in thespecification may include a single processor or may be architecturesemploying multiple processor designs for increased computing capability.

The methods and displays presented herein are not inherently related toany particular computer or other apparatus. Various general-purposesystems may also be used with programs in accordance with the teachingsherein, or it may prove convenient to construct more specializedapparatus to perform the required method steps. The required structurefor a variety of these systems will appear from the description below.In addition, the embodiments are not described with reference to anyparticular programming language. It will be appreciated that a varietyof programming languages may be used to implement the teachingsdescribed herein, and any references below to specific languages areprovided for disclosure of enablement and best mode.

While the disclosure has been particularly shown and described withreference to a preferred embodiment and several alternate embodiments,it will be understood by persons skilled in the relevant art thatvarious changes in form and details can be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A brushless car wash system for washing a vehiclecomprising: a wash unit configured to spray water on a plurality ofupper surfaces of an exterior of the vehicle to wash the vehicle; and aheight adjustment unit coupled to the wash unit at a first end of theheight adjustment unit and configured to adjust a height of the washunit as the plurality of upper surfaces of the exterior of the vehicleis washed, the height adjustment unit tilted at a fixed angle away froma front of the vehicle, the fixed angle measured with respect to areference that is perpendicular to ground.
 2. The brushless car washsystem of claim 1, wherein the plurality of upper surfaces of theexterior of the vehicle include at least one of a front bumper, a hood,a front windshield, a roof, a rear windshield, a rear decklid, or a rearbumper of the vehicle,
 3. The brushless car wash system of claim 1,wherein the fixed angle of the height adjustment unit is within apredetermined angle range of 13 to 17 degrees with respect to areference line normal to a ground surface.
 4. The brushless car washsystem of claim 1, further comprising: a light curtain sensor comprisinga plurality of photoelectric beams that sense intrusions in a plane ofdetection of the light curtain sensor to sense a plurality of heightpoints of the vehicle along a length of the vehicle as the vehiclepasses through the plane of detection of the light curtain sensor. 5.The brushless car wash system of claim 4, wherein the height adjustmentunit is configured to adjust a height of the wash unit a plurality oftimes in accordance with the sensed plurality of height points of theplurality of upper surfaces of the vehicle.
 6. The brushless car washsystem of claim 4, wherein the light curtain sensor is tilted at a fixedangle toward a front of the vehicle.
 7. The brushless car wash system ofclaim 6, wherein the fixed angle of the light curtain sensor is within apredetermined angle range of 13 to 17 degrees with respect to areference line normal to a ground surface.
 8. The brushless car washsystem of claim 1, wherein the wash unit includes a plurality of nozzlesthat spray the water on the plurality of upper surfaces of the vehicle,wherein the height adjustment unit adjusts the height of the wash unitsuch that a distance between ends of the plurality of nozzles and theplurality of uppers surfaces of the vehicle is maintained within apredetermined distance range.
 9. The brushless car wash system of claim8, wherein the predetermined distance range from the plurality of uppersurfaces of the vehicle is 10 inches to 15 inches.
 10. The brushless carwash system of claim 8, wherein a temperature of the water sprayed bythe plurality of nozzles when the water contacts the plurality of uppersurfaces of the vehicle is within a predetermined temperatures range.11. The brushless car wash system of claim 10, wherein the predeterminedtemperature range is 110 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
 12. The brushlesscar wash system of claim 1, wherein the height adjustment unit comprisesa telescoping rail including a plurality of rail stages, the height ofthe wash unit adjusted by expanding or retracting the plurality of railstages.
 13. The brushless car wash system of claim 12, wherein at leastone of the plurality of rail stages expands out of or retracts into apreceding one of the plurality of rail stages.
 14. The brushless carwash system of claim 12, wherein at least one rail stage of theplurality of rail stages includes at least one of a first shock reducingunit at a first end of the at least one rail stage or a second shockreducing unit at a second end of the at least one rail stage, the firstshock reducing unit and the second shock reducing unit absorbing shockwhen at least two of the plurality of rail stages contact each other asthe telescoping unit expands or retracts.
 15. The brushless car washsystem of claim 14, wherein the at least one rail stage comprises: aplurality of vertical sides; a first horizontal side positioned betweenthe plurality of vertical sides; a second horizontal side positionedbetween the plurality of vertical sides and spaced apart from the firsthorizontal side; the first shock reducing unit mounted on the firsthorizontal side, the first shock reducing unit including a first impactreduction block made of a shock absorbent material; the second shockreducing unit mounted on the second horizontal side, wherein the secondshock reducing unit includes: a shock absorber mounted on the secondhorizontal side; and a plurality of second impact reduction blocks madeof the shock absorbent material and mounted on the second horizontalside, wherein the shock absorber is mounted between the plurality ofsecond impact reduction blocks.
 16. The brushless car wash system ofclaim 12, further comprising: a motor connected to a second end of theheight adjustment unit; a drum coupled to the motor, the drum configuredto rotate as the motor rotates; and a wire including a first endconnected to the drum and a second end connected to the heightadjustment unit, wherein the wire is configured to wrap around the drumas the telescoping rail retracts towards a fully retracted state and isconfigured to unwrap from around the drum as the telescoping railexpands toward a fully expanded state.
 17. The brushless car wash systemof claim 16, wherein the wire comprises ultra-high-molecular-weightpolyethylene (UHMWPE).
 18. The brushless car wash system of claim 8,wherein the plurality of nozzles includes: a plurality of first nozzlescontrolled to spray water on a first portion of the plurality of uppersurfaces of the front and a top of the; and a second plurality ofnozzles independently controlled from the plurality of first nozzles tospray water on a second portion of the plurality of upper surfaces ofthe vehicle including a rear surface of the vehicle.
 19. The brushlesscar wash system of claim 18, wherein the plurality of first nozzles arearranged in a first direction at a first angle with respect to areference line parallel to a ground surface, and the plurality of secondnozzles are arranged in a second direction opposite the first directionat a second angle with respect to the reference line, the second anglegreater than the first angle.
 20. The brushless car wash system of claim8, wherein the plurality of nozzles are rotatable and are configured torotate as the vehicle is moved through the brushless car wash system.21. The brushless car wash system of claim 1, further comprising: asafety device at the one end of the height adjustment unit, the safetydevice configured to impact the vehicle upon malfunction of thebrushless car wash system, wherein the safety device comprises a shockabsorbent material to reduce damage to the vehicle upon impact betweenthe safety device and the vehicle as the safety device rolls across thevehicle.
 22. The brushless car wash system of claim 21, wherein thesafety device surrounds a portion of the wash unit.
 23. The brushlesscar wash system of claim 21, further comprising: a rotation apparatuscoupled to the height adjustment unit, the height adjustment unitconfigured to rotate about the rotation apparatus at a same time as animpact between one of the height adjustment unit or the safety devicewith the vehicle such that the height adjustment unit rotates from thefixed angle to a predetermined angle that is greater than the fixedangle.
 24. The brushless car wash system of claim 23, wherein therotation apparatus is further configured to slow a rotation of theheight adjustment unit from the predetermined angle back to the fixedangle after the vehicle has exited the brushless car wash system.
 25. Abrushless car wash system for washing a vehicle comprising: a lightcurtain sensor configured to sense a plurality of height points of aplurality of upper surfaces of an exterior of the vehicle along a lengthof the vehicle, the light curtain sensor tilted at an angle toward afront of the vehicle, the angle measured with respect to a referencethat is perpendicular to ground; a wash unit configured to spray wateron the plurality of upper surfaces of the vehicle to wash the vehicle;and a height adjustment unit coupled to the wash unit at one end of theheight adjustment unit and configured to adjust a height of the washunit according to the plurality of height points as the vehicle ismoved, the height adjustment unit tilted at an angle that corresponds tothe angle of the light curtain sensor, the angle of the heightadjustment unit measured with respect to the reference that isperpendicular to ground.
 26. A brushless car wash system for washing avehicle comprising: a wash unit configured to spray water on an exteriorof the vehicle to wash the vehicle; and a telescoping rail structurecoupled to the wash unit at one end of the telescoping rail structureand configured to adjust a height of the wash unit by expanding orretracting a plurality of rail stages included in the telescoping railstructure as the vehicle is moved, the telescoping rail structure tiltedat a fixed angle away from a front of the vehicle, the fixed anglemeasured with respect to a reference that is perpendicular to ground.